At least 15 people were killed after an Eight-storey under-construction building collapsed along Yar’Adua Drive in Owerri, news agency NAN reported.
A statement released by the IMO/Abia State Head Operations Office of the National Emergency Management Agency, Mr. Evans Ugoh, during an interview with reporters on Friday in Owerri says rescue efforts ongoing at the site of the building collapse.
“As you can see, we are still working, disaster managers are on the ground conducting search and rescue,” he said
“We have exhumed five dead bodies today. I believe that more people are still trapped but we will not give up.”
Roundnews24 learned that eight people who were taken to the hospital were later confirmed dead, bringing the total casualty figure to 15.
Mr. Innocent Ikpamezie, the Chairman of Owerri Capital Development Authority, blamed the collapsed building on poor engineering work during a radio program.
In his words, some contractors are in the habit of violating building guidelines, which often results in building collapses.
