No fewer than four persons have been rescued in the collapsed four-storey building along Iman street by Nsetip, off Aka road in Uyo metropolis, The Trumpet has gathered.
The Trumpet gathered that the building which was planned to be six storeys for hotel business, collapsed while decking work was in progress on the fourth floor last Saturday.
An eyewitness, Effiong Bassey, a tricycle operator along Aka Nnung Udoe road, said the incident occurred at about 6:45 pm with some workers trapped under the weight of the concrete rubble at the site.
He said many workers have been feared killed.
His words: “This incident happened at about 6:45 pm today (Saturday) and people, mostly construction workers, are still trapped inside.”
The Secretary of the Nigeria Red Cross Society in Akwa Ibom State, Mr Iniuma Okorodoh, who also confirmed the incident said about four victims have been rescued and taken to the hospital while excavator and other equipment were expected to rescue other victims still trapped in the rubble.
“Yes, I can confirm that there was an incident like that this evening. So far, volunteers, who are on ground said four persons have been taken to the hospital and they are waiting for an excavator to rescue those trapped in the rubble. Those taken to the hospital are either wounded or unconscious.”
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Meanwhile, the State Police Public Relations Officer in Akwa Ibom, SP Odiko Macdon, has confirmed the incident and disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, Olatoye Durosinmi had ordered the deployment of officers to safeguard lives and property at the construction site.
The PPRO, who could not give an actual number of casualties, promised to keep the people informed on the development of the collapsed building.
“Yes, I can confirm that we have received the report of a collapsed building. The Commissioner of Police has ordered a deployment to the area to ensure the protection of lives and property.
As we speak, we do not have the number of casualties, and we do not know the immediate and remote cause of the incident.
However, I want to assure Akwa Ibom that we will keep them informed about developments,” he said.
However, the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Comrade Ini Ememobong on his Facebook page, while giving an update about the incident, said, “All critical rescue and security agencies (Police, DSS, Fire Service) are on ground with technical support from some construction Companies (Julius berger and Amitek).
“Secretary to the State Government, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem, Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr Bassey Okon and other Government officials are at the scene. Four persons were rescued and taken to the Hospital. Rescue operations are still ongoing.”
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