Two-Storey Building Collapses In Port Harcourt

AFIMAG com –

No fewer than four persons were left with injuries as an appendage of a two-story hotel collapsed in the Ada-George area of Port Harcourt.

The two-storey building belonging to 1708 Hotel, Rumuoke by Okilton Junction, off Ada George, collapsed at about 6.15 am on June 29, 2023.

The incident took place when some occupants of the area were still asleep, and occupants of the building who were mainly site workers, were getting ready to resume for the day’s job.

The State Commissioner of Works Mr Emeka Woke, who inspected the level of damage, said the government would probe the causes of the collapse.

Woke said, “Early this morning, the governor, Siminialaye Fubara, was informed about this building collapse and he directed that I immediately visit the site on his behalf and assess the extent of damage and report back to him.

“Having seen the building, the first thing we did was carry out a personnel audit and from available records, no life was lost but we have been told that four persons sustained some injuries and taken to the hospital for treatment.”

The commissioner said that the governor also directed that the premises of the collapsed building be sealed off pending investigation.

He however, noted that rescue operations were ongoing at the site, basically to evacuate the rubbles.

Mr Isa Aghaebne, an engineer handling the integrity test on the collapsed building, said a structural integrity test will commence on Friday.

He, however, noted that the collapse might possibly be due to foundation failure or failure of the structure itself.

“We can’t ascertain now until we have concluded an integrity test which is expected to last for about two weeks,” he added.