At least five persons have been confirmed dead while several others were injured after a three-storey building under construction collapsed in Abuja’s Gudu District on Saturday morning, with emergency responders still battling to rescue victims believed to be trapped under the rubble.
The structure, located behind Gudu Market, went down about 8:30am, with labourers said to be working on site when the incident occurred.
Confirming the incident, the Head of Public Affairs at the FCT Emergency Management Department, FEMD, Nkechi Isa, said search and rescue operations were still ongoing at the scene.
She stated that “Search and rescue operations are ongoing as emergency responders battle to rescue more persons trapped in the rubble of a collapsed three storey building at the Gudu District in the FCT.”
Isa said a total of 16 persons had so far been rescued from the debris. According to her, “11 of the rescued victims have been taken to the Federal Medical Center Abuja, Asokoro District Hospital and Maitama Hospital for treatment.” She added that “5 other victims lost their lives during the incident.”
She further disclosed that emergency responders including the National Emergency Management Agency, Federal Fire Service, FCT Fire Service, FCT Police Command, Nigerian Army and Federal Road Safety Corps were on ground at the incident scene, alongside medical teams and other agencies supporting the operation.
Meanwhile, an online post by the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister, Lere Olayinka, indicated that the collapse occurred around the Durumi 3 axis near Gudu Market, with rescue operations still ongoing as officials worked to evacuate more victims.
Olayinka said “At least five persons have been confirmed dead while 10 others were rescued alive after a three-storey building under construction collapsed in the Durumi 3 area, near Gudu Market, Abuja, on Saturday morning.”
He added that the Mandate Secretary of the FCTA Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, was at the scene and disclosed that the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, had directed that all casualties be given free medical treatment.
He further noted that emergency personnel, including fire service officials, health workers, security agencies and local volunteers, were involved in ongoing rescue efforts as anxious residents gathered around the scene.
More details are expected as the rescue operation continues.
