By Femi Alabi
Help finally arrived for three persons who were trapped in the rubble of the collapsed five-storey building at Basden Street, Fegge in the commercial city of Onitsha in Anambra State, as they have been rescued.
Contrary to the assumption that many were feared dead and so many people were trapped in the rubble, the Executive Secretary of the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency, Mr. Paul Odenigbo, said that there was no casualty and that three persons were trapped but had been rescued.
When asked what caused the collapse, Odenigbo said, “That is what they are still working on. That is not known yet but there was no casualty. Three persons were trapped and they have been rescued. Once there is any further update, I will let you know.”
The building which collapsed in the early hours of Sunday, occurred less than three weeks after a three-storey building under construction collapsed at the Odu-Igbo section of the Ochanja Market in the same city, killing at least six persons.
The Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the incident, said that security operatives were sent to the scene of the incident to coordinate the rescue operation.
Ikenga said, “Immediately the incident was reported, the DPO in charge of the area quickly cordoned off the place and our DCP Ops is already on the ground to coordinate the rescue operation, which is ongoing.
“Yes, our operatives led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations are there now, the area has been cordoned and rescue operations are ongoing, further details shall be communicated, please.
“The number of casualties or fatalities, if any, can’t be discussed now until the rescue operation is completed.”