A four-storey building has reportedly collapsed at Owelle-Aja Layout, Obosi, in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The structure, still under construction and located off Tony Eze Street, was said to have caved in around 7 a.m yesterday.
It was gathered that although majority of the workers had not resumed work when the structure collapsed, those suspected to have slept in the building were feared trapped under the debris.
A resident, who spoke in confidence, said the building’s initial foundation was for two-storey before the owner added two extra floors, which allegedly led to the collapse.
He also said there were cracks in the building prior to the introduction of the two additional floors.
Another resident, who gave her name simply as Obiageli, described the soil texture of the area as soft, which the rain could easily wash away.
“People hardly build such multi-storied building here. What is common here are two-storey buildings. Besides, the building has been under the rain and sun for years, which is enough to weaken the foundation,” she said.
The Chairman of the area’s Landlords Association, Chief Chuka Chukwudebelu, blamed the collapse on use of substandard materials.
He added: “We suspect it may be due to the use of inferior materials. The owner has not been in a hurry since he started the building, probably because of inadequate funds.
“His style has been whenever he got money, he committed it to the building. We really sympathise with him.”
Chukwudebelu, who said it was not yet certain if anyone died in the incident, regretted that concerned authorities had not brought equipment to remove the debris and confirm if anybody was trapped in the building.
“But I don’t think anyone was trapped inside since it is an uncompleted building and the workers had not come to work by the time it happened,” he added.
The Director of the State Emergency Management Agency, Chief Paul Odenigbo, said he was out of town.