Investigation begins as Rivers building fall harms four

The Rivers State Government has launched an investigation into the collapse of a two-storey building in Port Harcourt. The incident, which occurred on Rumuoke Street, off Okilton Junction, Ada George Road, resulted in injuries to at least four individuals. Governor Siminalayi Fubara, through his media aide Boniface Onyedi, has directed relevant government agencies to identify those responsible for the construction and determine the immediate and underlying causes of the collapse.

The statement emphasized that the Ministry of Urban Development will promptly conduct site investigations and inspections. These measures include destructive and non-destructive testing of the collapsed structural elements to assess their strength, as well as sieve analysis of the soil at the site. If any negligence or wrongdoing is discovered, the individuals involved will face prosecution as a deterrent to others.

Governor Fubara visited the injured victims at the hospital and expressed sympathy. The attending doctors have assured that the victims’ conditions are stable and they will be discharged within a few days.

To address the aftermath of the incident, the government has swiftly mobilized earth-moving equipment to clear the debris at the site. The area has been cordoned off to ensure safety.

An eyewitness named Tonye recounted that residents became aware of the building collapse due to a loud sound that sent shivers down their spines. The cause of the collapse is still unknown, but it was revealed that some of the laborers working on the construction project were residing in the building.

Another resident, speaking anonymously for security reasons, disclosed that when they arrived at the scene, they witnessed a man crawling out of the rubble, prompting immediate rescue efforts. Some workers had previously alerted their colleagues about cracks in the building, but the warning went unheard due to loud music being played at the time.

Edited by Damilola Adeleke