A two-storey building under construction at the Eke Amawbia market in Awka, Anambra State, collapsed on Thursday, trapping numerous traders and shop owners beneath the rubble. The collapse occurred around noon, causing widespread panic among traders and local residents.
While the official casualty figures remain unknown, eyewitnesses fear that lives may have been lost in the disaster. One person has been rescued and rushed to Amawbia Maternity Home for urgent medical care, but many others are still believed to be trapped inside the debris. Rescue operations are ongoing, with police officers and emergency responders at the scene coordinating efforts to find survivors and maintain order.
Traders who witnessed the collapse have attributed the disaster to substandard construction work, alleging that the building’s structural integrity was compromised. Additionally, persistent rainfall over the past week is being considered as a potential contributing factor to the collapse.
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The spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident and stated that two victims had been rescued so far. The atmosphere at the market is tense, with onlookers anxiously awaiting news of more rescues. The community is calling for a thorough investigation into the cause of the collapse to prevent such tragedies in the future.
As rescue operations continue, the focus remains on saving as many lives as possible and determining the root cause of the building’s collapse.