A three-storey building under construction collapsed on Thursday morning in Awka, the Anambra State capital, leaving several workers feared trapped beneath the rubble.
The incident occurred around 11:40 a.m. behind the Anambra State House of Assembly, near Ekwueme Square in the Okpuno area of the city.
Eyewitnesses said artisans were working on the building’s roof when the entire structure suddenly gave way, causing panic among residents and passersby.
The building, a private project with four suspended floors, was reportedly at its roofing stage when it came crashing down without warning.
According to preliminary investigations carried out by officials of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and the state’s materials testing department, the collapse may have been caused by poor-quality concrete and possible foundation defects.
Speaking at the scene, the Chairman of COREN-ERM in Anambra State, Engr. Victor Meju, said the building had just been roofed a week earlier. He described the collapse as “vertically complete,” meaning the entire structure came down in a straight drop into rubble.
“It is a private residential building under construction, and it suffered a vertically complete collapse,” Meju said. “From our preliminary assessment, there are signs of poor concrete mixture and likely foundational problems.”
Rescue efforts were initially hampered by the lack of heavy-duty equipment such as excavators and cranes. Locals and eyewitnesses could only attempt makeshift rescue operations using shovels and bare hands, trying to dig through the debris in hopes of reaching survivors.
“There were people working inside and on the roof. We saw the building collapse like a pack of cards. We ran to help, but we didn’t have the tools,” said one eyewitness, who gave his name as Chigozie.
The Anambra State Ministry of Housing, the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA), and other relevant agencies have since arrived at the scene to coordinate proper rescue operations and begin a full investigation.
Officials have cordoned off the area to prevent further danger, while emergency response units are now involved in the search-and-rescue operation.
As of the time of filing this report, the number of casualties remains unknown, but sources at the scene said multiple workers are feared trapped under the rubble.
The building collapse is the latest in a worrying trend of structural failures in various parts of Nigeria, often linked to poor construction practices, substandard materials, or lack of professional supervision.
COREN officials urged builders and property developers to always adhere strictly to approved engineering standards and construction codes to avoid similar tragedies in the future.
