One person has been confirmed dead and three others rescued after a building under construction collapsed along Odili Road in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Wednesday, marking the second building collapse recorded in the state within 48 hours.
The four-storey structure reportedly gave way while construction workers were on site, trapping several persons beneath the rubble. Emergency responders, including the Rivers State Police Command, Federal Fire Service, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Red Cross, NSCDC, and other agencies, were immediately deployed to the scene to carry out search and rescue operations.
Speaking at the site, the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, ACP Iyke Okoro, said security agencies were swiftly mobilised following reports of the collapse.
“We have been here since morning. The Commissioner of Police directed us to cordon off the area to prevent further casualties and ensure smooth rescue operations,” Okoro said.
He confirmed that three victims were rescued alive with varying degrees of injuries, while one later died after being taken to the hospital.
“We will not allow anyone to disrupt the rescue efforts. Our duty is to protect lives and property while supporting ongoing rescue operations,” he added.
Rescue efforts continued throughout the day as emergency workers searched the rubble for additional victims feared trapped beneath the debris.
Reacting to the incident, the Rivers State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Hon. Edward Hart, said preliminary findings indicated that the collapsed building was approved by the Federal Housing Authority (FHA).
The building that collapsed was approved by the Federal Housing Authority. However, as a responsible government, we responded immediately to support rescue efforts and assess the situation,” Hart said.
The commissioner noted that many building collapse incidents are often linked to non-compliance with approved building plans, the use of substandard materials, and the engagement of unqualified personnel.
“Some developers fail to comply with approved plans, while others exceed approved specifications. In some cases, substandard materials are used. These practices significantly increase the risk of structural failure,” he stated.
Hart assured residents that the ministry would intensify monitoring and inspection of construction sites across the state to prevent similar incidents and urged developers to strictly adhere to approved standards.
The latest incident comes less than 48 hours after another building collapse was reported in the Iwofe area of Rivers State, raising renewed concerns over construction safety and regulatory compliance in the state.
