Three construction workers have been successfully rescued after being trapped in a collapsed five-storey building located at Dennis Memorial Grammar School in Onitsha, Anambra State’s commercial hub.
The incident occurred around 7:15 am on Wednesday, prompting a swift response from Anambra State government officials and Red Cross Society members. By 5:15 pm the same day, one person had been rescued alive, with the remaining two rescued later in the night before midnight.
Victor Metu, Chairman of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, confirmed that the collapse was extensive, not partial, and attributed it to a faulty foundation and substandard materials. He emphasized the need for a thorough investigation into the incident.
Tragedy Strikes: Building Collapse at Ochanja Market in Onitsha, Anambra.
Metu stated, “I will write to the state governor to establish an inquiry panel composed of professional experts and engineers to conduct a detailed analysis. We need to verify the original design intent and assess if construction deviations contributed to the collapse.”
He further mentioned plans for an integrity test on the site to determine if additional structural concerns exist. Metu expressed concern over potential past use of the site as a tunnel or dumping ground, suggesting it may have compromised the building’s foundation.
The investigation aims to uncover whether the collapse was due to human error or environmental factors, ensuring accountability and preventing future incidents.
