trapped as five-storey structure caves in.

Panic on Peter Odili Road: Workers

A five-storey building under construction in Rivers State collapsed on Wednesday, leaving one person dead, two others hospitalised with injuries, while several workers are still believed to be trapped beneath the rubble.

The structure reportedly gave way on Wednesday afternoon along Peter Odili Road in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, causing panic among residents and passersby as workers became trapped under the debris.
An eyewitness, identified simply as Victor, said the building came down with a loud crash, attracting residents who immediately rushed to the scene and began rescue efforts.
According to him, locals used manual tools and their bare hands to pull victims from the rubble before excavators and emergency responders arrived to strengthen the rescue operation.
“Some persons are still trapped inside. I think one aboki is still there. I have not also seen our brother,” he said.
Another eyewitness, who requested anonymity, said rescuers were searching for a woman whose voice had earlier been heard from beneath the debris.
“I personally heard a woman’s voice shouting for help, but for the past 30 minutes they have been searching and she is yet to be found. Searching is still ongoing,” she said.
Speaking at the scene, the Acting Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Health, Dr. Vincent Wachukwu, said emergency medical teams and ambulances were quickly deployed after reports of the collapse.
He disclosed that officials from the Rivers State Ministry of Health, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other security agencies were actively involved in rescue operations.
Wachukwu said:
“We are here at Peter Odili Road following the disturbing news that there is a building collapse.
“As a health team, we immediately mobilised ambulances and personnel to support the rescue operation.
“So far, three persons have been rescued from the rubble. They sustained varying degrees of injuries and have been rushed to the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital for treatment.
“We have also activated the hospital’s emergency response unit. The Head of the Emergency Department is already on ground, while NEMA, the Road Safety Corps, Civil Defence and other security agencies are all participating in the rescue efforts. All hands are on deck to ensure that anyone still trapped is rescued.”
As of the time of filing this report, rescue operations were still ongoing as emergency responders continued combing through the debris in search of survivors.
The incident occurred less than 24 hours after another three-storey building under construction collapsed along Slaughter Road, off Iwofe Road in Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt.