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One person has been confirmed dead while three others were rescued after a building under construction collapsed along Odili Road in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
The incident occurred less than 48 hours after another building collapse was reported in the Iwofe area of Rivers State, raising fresh concerns over construction safety and compliance with building regulations.
The structure, described by eyewitnesses as a proposed hotel or shopping complex, reportedly collapsed in the late morning, trapping several construction workers beneath the rubble.
Emergency responders, including personnel from the Rivers State Police Command, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Nigerian Red Cross and other rescue agencies, were immediately deployed to the scene.
Speaking during the rescue operation, the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Rivers State Police Command, Ikechukwu Okoro, said the Commissioner of Police directed security operatives to secure the area and support rescue efforts.
“We have been here since morning. The Commissioner of Police directed us to cordon off the area to prevent further casualties and ensure smooth rescue operations. So far, three persons have been rescued alive, though they sustained varying degrees of injuries. Unfortunately, one of the victims later died after being taken to the hospital,” he said.
Okoro added that the area had been secured to prevent interference from onlookers while rescue efforts continued.
Val Onwumelu, popularly known as the “Instigator of Port Harcourt”, whose team provided heavy-duty equipment for the operation, said rescuers heard voices from beneath the debris on arrival.
“When we arrived, we could hear voices from within the debris. We carefully carried out excavation work with our engineers and successfully rescued two persons alive. Sadly, one casualty has been recorded,” he said.
Emergency First Aid Coordinator of the Nigerian Red Cross in Port Harcourt, Yibotemeka Kalio, confirmed that search and rescue operations were ongoing, adding that more victims were believed to be trapped beneath the rubble.
An eyewitness, Emmanuel Okon, said the building collapsed while workers were carrying out construction activities.
Reacting to the incident, the Rivers State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Edward Hart, said officials of the ministry visited the site immediately after receiving reports of the collapse.
Hart disclosed that preliminary findings indicated the property was allocated by the Federal Housing Authority, which also approved the building plan.
He attributed many building collapse incidents to non-compliance with approved building plans, the use of substandard materials and the engagement of unqualified personnel.
“Some developers fail to comply with approved plans, while others exceed approved specifications. In some cases, substandard materials are used. These practices significantly increase the risk of structural failure,” he said.
The commissioner assured residents that the ministry would intensify monitoring and inspection of construction sites across the state and urged developers to adhere strictly to approved building plans, use quality materials and engage qualified professionals.
Rescue operations continued into the evening as emergency workers searched for additional victims feared trapped beneath the rubble.
