Partially constructed hotel building collapses in Nigeria, killing one
A four-story hotel building under construction partially collapsed in the city of Enugu in southeastern Nigeria. One person was killed in the incident, while four others were pulled from the rubble and taken to hospital.
The collapse occurred at around 5:00 a.m. on Sunday in the Independence Layout area. As Premium Times Nigeria reports, a security guard told rescuers that six people had been sleeping in the unfinished structure, but one of them left the building before the collapse.
Rescue operation
Uche Anya, head of the Enugu Capital Territory Development Agency, said that four people were rescued from under the debris, while one other person died. According to him, all those rescued are in hospital and receiving medical care.
Enugu State Fire Service Director Okwudiri Oha said that two of those rescued sustained minor injuries. All four were taken to a medical facility for examination.
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Chinasa Mba, executive secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency, said that, according to available information, five people were inside the building at the time of the incident. She said rescuers would clear the rubble and carry out excavations to ensure that no people or bodies of the dead remained under the debris.
The site had previously been sealed
Uche Anya noted that the owner received permission to construct the building in 2021. At the same time, he said, the agency identified serious problems with the structural integrity and non-compliance with the terms of the issued permit.
The official said that the agency issued a stop-work order and the site had been sealed for the past six months. A representative of the owner, who is reportedly abroad, had been in contact with the agency over the past 30–40 days regarding the elimination of the violations. He was handed over to Enugu State Police to assist the investigation into the collapse.
