At least two people have been confirmed dead, while three others sustained injuries following the collapse of a three-storey building in Amaokpala, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The Acting Executive Secretary of the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, Ms. Ndidi Omega, disclosed this on Monday after rescue operations at the scene.
The building, located in Oko Community, served as an off-campus residence for students of the Federal Polytechnic Oko and other tenants.
Omega said the injured victims were receiving treatment in hospital, adding that search and rescue operations would continue on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the Anambra State Government has sealed off the collapsed building and launched a manhunt for the owner and manager of the property.
Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Chijioke Ojukwu, said preliminary findings indicated signs of structural failure, alleging that the building’s owner ignored safety concerns in pursuit of financial gain.
He added that the government would conduct integrity tests on buildings in the area, while the collapsed premises would remain sealed pending the outcome of investigations.
The state government is expected to announce its official position on the incident after the investigation.
Source: News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
