Panic gripped residents of Port Harcourt on Wednesday after a three-storey building under construction collapsed along Peter Odili Road, leaving one person dead and several others trapped beneath the debris.
The incident occurred in the upscale area of the Rivers State capital, prompting an immediate emergency response from government agencies and security operatives.
Rescue workers at the scene recovered the body of an unidentified victim from the rubble, while efforts intensified to locate and rescue other workers believed to be trapped.
Although the exact cause of the collapse had yet to be determined as of press time, eyewitnesses suspected that structural defects may have contributed to the disaster.
Emergency responders, including officials of the Rivers State Government, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and other security agencies, swiftly mobilised to the site to coordinate rescue operations.
One of the survivors, identified simply as Taiwo, said several workers were inside the building when it suddenly gave way.
According to him, at least seven workers were trapped following the collapse.
"This morning, I stepped out to buy something. There were about eight people working inside the building," he said.
"My brother was among those inside. Four people have been rescued, but others are still trapped under the rubble."
Officials from the Rivers State Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning, the Ministry of Health, and police personnel were also seen at the scene overseeing rescue efforts.
Speaking during an inspection of the site, the Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Director of Medical Services, Dr. Vincent Wachukwu, said emergency teams responded immediately after receiving reports of the collapse.
"We received information this morning that a three-storey building had collapsed on Peter Odili Road, and we immediately mobilised ambulances and medical personnel to support rescue operations," he said.
Wachukwu disclosed that two severely injured victims had been rescued and taken to the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH) for urgent medical attention.
He added that the state's emergency response system had been fully activated to ensure prompt treatment for survivors.
"The Hospital Emergency Medical Services have been placed on alert, while the Emergency Unit of RSUTH is fully prepared to receive and manage victims," he said.
"Officials of NEMA, FRSC, NSCDC and other security agencies are on ground, and all hands are on deck to rescue those who may still be trapped."
As rescue operations continued late into the day, anxious relatives and residents gathered around the site, hoping for more survivors to be pulled from the wreckage.
Authorities have yet to confirm the total number of casualties, while investigations into the cause of the collapse are expected to commence after the rescue exercise.
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