Carpenter is feared dead after part of a 2-storey building under construction collapsed on Tuesday, July 9, 2024. The building, situated along Ugwunwani Road off Corner Stone Bus Stop, caved in during the morning hours, tragically affecting the workers present on-site.
Witnesses reported that the collapsed section of the building was a staircase that had recently been introduced. The carpenter, identified as a native of Cross River State, was in the process of removing the planks used in the construction when the staircase gave way.
One witness recounted the harrowing moments following the collapse: "We heard his shout and rushed to rescue him, removing the debris that was on him. We were able to bring him out, but he was barely moving." The injured carpenter was quickly transported to Somadina Hospital on Nike Road, Abakpa Nike, Enugu. However, one of the individuals who accompanied him to the hospital reported that he was unresponsive upon arrival.
The collapse has caused significant panic in the area, leading to heightened tensions. Relatives of the victim, upon hearing of the incident, attacked the owner of the building, who was present at the site when the staircase collapsed.
Authorities are yet to release an official statement on the incident, and the exact cause of the collapse remains under investigation. The safety protocols at the construction site are also under scrutiny, raising questions about the adherence to building standards and regulations. While the community grapples with the aftermath of this tragedy, there is a renewed call for stringent oversight and enforcement of construction standards to prevent such incidents in the future.
