Four-storey uncompleted building collapses in Onitsha, workers trapped

No fewer than five persons may have been trapped in the rubble of an uncompleted four-storey building that collapsed on Monday in Onitsha, Anambra State, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.
The building, which collapsed at about 1pm, is part a structure being erected at St. Christopher’s Anglican Church, Odo-akpu, Onitsha.
According to an eyewitness, who who did not want his name mentioned, the collapsed building may have trapped more than five workers plastering its interior.
“The ill-fated building was meant to serve as classroom blocks for pupils of St. Christopher’s Primary school,” he said, adding that it was nearing completion.
One of the teachers at St. Christopher’s Primary school, who did not her name disclosed, told NAN that the building collapsed few minutes after the bell signalled the end of break time.
“This place has been where our children run into to play each time, but as God will have it, once it was 12.30pm, we rang the bell to call them back to their classes and shortly after, we heard a loud noise,” she said.
Emeka Okafor, the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Political Liaison Office for Onitsha South Constituency, described the incident as unfortunate.
Okafor, however, thanked God that the pupils were in their classes when the incident took place.
“We have notified construction companies in Onitsha and it would not be long before they arrive with their earth-moving vehicle,” he said.
Also commenting, Ann Chukwuneke, the Chairperson, Onitsha South Local Government Council, said that efforts were ongoing to rescue the trapped workers.
Chukwuneke said: “I am here now and I am not leaving until it is clear to me that nobody is trapped in there.”
Efforts made to speak to senior officials of the Police and Federal Road Safety Commission, who were on ground at the scene, proved abortive.
They said that only the church authorities and eyewitnesses could give a vivid account of the incident.
NAN reports that one of the trapped workers, although feared dead, was excavated from the rubble at the time of filing this report.