- NEMA said rescue efforts will continue at the collapse site
- One person died while three others were rescued alive
- Authorities urged developers to follow approved building standards
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has assured that rescue operations at the site of the collapsed five-storey building in Port Harcourt will continue until every person trapped beneath the debris is accounted for.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that the building, which was still under construction, collapsed on Wednesday along Odili Road in Rivers State, prompting an emergency response from multiple rescue agencies.
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Speaking at the scene on Wednesday night, the Head of NEMA’s Port Harcourt Operations Office, Dr. Chidi Ogundu, confirmed that four victims had so far been recovered from the rubble.
According to him, one person died in the incident, while three others were rescued alive and taken to hospital for medical treatment.
He described the collapse as unfortunate and said rescue teams would remain at the site until all victims, whether alive or dead, had been recovered.
Ogundu noted that personnel from NEMA, the Rivers State Government, the Rivers State Emergency Medical Service, the Nigerian Red Cross, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Federal Road Safety Corps were working together to search the debris.
He urged property developers to strictly comply with approved building plans and use quality construction materials to prevent similar incidents.
The NEMA official warned against exceeding approved building specifications, saying such actions often weaken structures and increase the risk of collapse.
He also stressed the importance of conducting proper soil investigations before construction, explaining that unstable ground or reclaimed refuse dump sites could compromise a building’s foundation.
Ogundu advised residents to report any suspicious construction activities to the appropriate authorities to help prevent future disasters.
Rescue operations continued into the night under floodlights, with additional heavy-duty equipment, including excavators, deployed to speed up the search for anyone still trapped beneath the rubble.
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