There was pandemonium when a two-storey building collapsed at Eke-Amawbia market yesterday, in Anambra State, leaving a male passer-by injured and many people feared trapped under the rubble.
An eyewitness said the incident occurred at about 12:00 p.m., while traders were busy doing business at the market. The eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity, said some traders and passers-by were trapped.
The eyewitness said the collapsed section housed mostly petty traders that sold food stuff, such as gari, vegetable, yams, cocoyam, rice, beans, fufu etc.
“One person was rescued and rushed to Amawbia Maternity Home for urgent medical attention. Some traders and sympathisers are now gathered at the scene carrying out rescue operations.
“Policemen also cordoned off the area to maintain peace and order,” he said
When The Guardian visited the scene, rescue operation was still ongoing; people were seen working frantically, searching for survivors in the rubble.
Confirming the development, spokesperson for Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said two victims were rescued. He said: “In response to a distress call on July 4, at about 12:40 p.m. of a building collapse, police operatives rescued two victims and took them to a hospital for medical care.
“On the directives of the Commissioner of Police, Nnaghe Obono Itam, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations led operatives to the scene for an on-the-spot assessment.”
The area has been cordoned off, and rescue operations are still ongoing.”
