Three killed in Onitsha building collapse

Three people were feared killed yesterday in
Onitsha, Anambra State, when a four-storey
building, under construction, collapsed after
an early morning downpour.
The building, situated on No 24, Obanye Street
in Odoakpu, near Onitsha General Post Office,
collapsed at about 3:30pm. The collapsed
building is said to be valued at over N40
million.
It could not be confirmed yesterday if three
people died. An eye witness said nobody died
as workers had closed for the day when it
happened. He said workers were sighted at the
building at about 8am.
A mechanic, Mr. Willy Chima, told our
reporter that he had his workshop on the land
before it was sold for the erection of the four-
storey building. Chima said the building could
have given way because the soil had
persistently been ravaged by flood.
He noted that the land should have been sand-
filled before the erection of a structure of
such magnitude.
At the scene of the incident in Obanye Street,
sympathisers were seen discussing in groups.
Sources said inferior materials could have been
used in the construction. Tiny iron rods were
seen hanging-out and the building appeared
sunk below its foundation.
A woman from Ukpo in Dunukofia Local
Government Area, who allegedly owned the
building and lives in Abuja, was said to own
another five-storey building, which is almost
completed at the back of the collapsed
structure.
The contractor handling the project was said to
have visited the site on hearing about the
unfortunate incident.
Another eyewitness, who spoke on condition of
anonymity, said the builders and labourers did
not work due to a downpour, which started at
about 6:30 a.m.
“We heard a heavy sound and as most of the
neighbourhoods in the street rushed out, we
saw the uncompleted building collapsing.
“It was a big surprise to all of us. We have
noticed recently that work in the building was
going on at a high speed.
“It is just a pity, what a huge financial loss.
But thank God, no one was working in the
building today and no one was injured in the
incident,’’ he said.
A three-storey building undergoing
construction at Okofia–Umuenem, Otolo Nnewi
in Nnewi North Local Government Area also
collapsed.
Work was going on when the building caved in,
trapping about seven workers. Although
nobody died, six were wounded, three
critically. They were rushed to Nnamdi Azikiwe
University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi and a
private hospital.
Chief Christopher Akabogu, a businessman
based in Kano, is said to be the owner of the
building. The contractor was said to have used
inferior materials.
President General of the Community, Mr
Alphonsus Amiebue said that the villagers
mobilised to rescue the victims but could not
ascertain if some were buried alive.