By Kamsi Anayo
A two-storey building under construction in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Wednesday suddenly collapsed, trapping an unspecified number of workers beneath the rubble.
The incident occurred along Dr. Peter Odili Road, near Eterna Filling Station, less than 24 hours after another building collapse was recorded in the Iwofe area of the state capital, an earlier incident that reportedly claimed no casualties.
Eyewitnesses said construction workers had only just resumed work for the day when the structure gave way without warning, sending labourers and bystanders scrambling for safety.
According to witnesses, emergency responders quickly arrived at the scene and launched a rescue operation to reach those feared trapped beneath the debris.
At least two victims were pulled out alive from the collapsed structure and rushed to a hospital for medical attention, although their identities and conditions were yet to be disclosed.
As of the time of filing this report, rescue teams were still combing through the wreckage in search of other workers believed to be trapped, while anxious residents and relatives gathered around the site hoping for more survivors.
The latest collapse has heightened concerns over building safety standards in Rivers State, coming barely a day after a similar incident in the Iwofe axis of Port Harcourt.
Authorities are yet to confirm the cause of the collapse or the exact number of casualties as emergency operations continued.
