Building Collapse in Port Harcourt Traps Workers as Rescue Efforts Continue

A building collapse in Port Harcourt has left several people trapped beneath rubble after a four-storey structure under construction caved in on Wednesday morning in Rivers State.

The building collapse in Port Harcourt occurred in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, just 48 hours after another building failure was reported in the Rumuolumeni area. Witnesses said between eight and 10 people were inside the structure when it suddenly collapsed.

Residents rushed to the scene and pulled out three victims. However, emergency workers continue searching for others believed to be trapped beneath the debris. Authorities have also recovered one body.

Eyewitnesses said the site engineer was among those trapped. A carpenter, Oladimeji Taiwo, claimed the engineer had warned workers shortly before the incident. Taiwo said he had noticed cracks in the building and escaped because he was outside when the structure gave way.

Meanwhile, officials from the Police, NEMA, Fire Service, Nigerian Red Cross Society and the Ministry of Health have mobilised to support rescue operations.

Authorities have yet to determine the exact cause of the collapse. However, the latest building collapse in Port Harcourt has renewed concerns about construction safety and compliance with building regulations in Rivers State.