A two-storey building still under construction and housing traders and shop owners collapsed at the Eke Amawbia market in Awka, the Anambra State capital, on Thursday.
Although the casualty figure has not been officially ascertained, it was gathered that lives might have been lost in the incident and many are feared trapped under the rubble.
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Eyewitnesses said the incident happened at about noon, creating panic among some of the traders and residents in the area.
The eyewitnesses said the two-storey building suddenly crumbled, burying numerous traders beneath the debris.
As of the time of filing this report, one person had been rescued and rushed to Amawbia Maternity Home for urgent medical attention, but many more are believed to be trapped inside the wreckage.
Some police officers have arrived at the scene to coordinate rescue efforts and maintain order.
Traders who witnessed the collapse blamed the disaster on substandard engineering work, alleging that the building’s structural integrity had been compromised.
While some others blamed the collapse on the persistent rainfall since last week.
The spokesman for the state police command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the development when contacted, saying two victims have been rescued and rescue operations are still ongoing.
Meanwhile, rescue operations are currently ongoing, with emergency responders working to search for survivors amidst the rubble.
Our correspondent reports that the atmosphere at the market is tense, with onlookers anxiously waiting for news of the rescue of the people feared trapped in the building.
The incident has sent panic to the community, with many calling for an investigation into the cause of the collapse.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
