Breaking: 4 escape, 8 trapped as 3-storey building collapses in Kwara

At least four persons have escaped death by the whiskers after they were trapped for several hours in the rubble of a collapsed three-storey building at Popo-Giwa, Masalasi Gogoro area, off Aikobi Road, in Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The building reportedly collapsed at about 5:30am on Tuesday, throwing residents of the area into panic as occupants were believed to be inside the structure at the time of the incident. Blueprint reports

The four persons were eventually rescued alive from the rubble after emergency responders, security personnel and residents mobilised to the scene and commenced frantic rescue operations.

However, no fewer than eight other persons were still feared trapped under the debris as of the time of filing this report, with rescuers continuing efforts to reach possible survivors and determine the actual number of people affected by the collapse.

Residents mobilise for rescue

Blueprint.ng gathered that the incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday when most residents of the area were still asleep, making the sudden collapse particularly devastating and raising fears that several occupants might have been inside the building.

Following the collapse, residents of the community were said to have rushed to the scene to assist in the rescue efforts before the arrival of emergency agencies.

The immediate response by residents reportedly helped to create access points through parts of the rubble, while emergency personnel subsequently joined the operation to evacuate those who were trapped.

The four rescued occupants were brought out alive from the debris and handed over for necessary attention, although details about their identities and the extent of injuries sustained were not immediately available as of press time.

The rescue operation was still ongoing as emergency workers continued to search through the collapsed structure in the hope of locating other occupants who may have been trapped beneath the rubble.

Nursing mothers, children feared trapped

Sources familiar with the incident told Blueprint.ng that the situation was particularly concerning because nursing mothers and children were among those believed to be inside the building when it collapsed.

The presence of children among those feared trapped has heightened the urgency of the rescue operation, with residents and emergency responders working against time to locate and evacuate anyone still underneath the debris.

The exact number of occupants who were in the building when it collapsed could not be immediately established.

While initial information indicated that at least eight persons were feared trapped, emergency responders were expected to conduct a thorough assessment of the scene and establish the actual number of people who were inside the building at the time of the incident.

The development has also triggered concerns among residents about the structural integrity of buildings within the area and the need for relevant authorities to ensure that structures under construction or already occupied meet approved building standards.

Emergency agencies at scene

Personnel of the Kwara State Fire Service were among those deployed to the scene to support the rescue operation.

Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were also on ground, alongside residents who continued to assist the emergency workers in clearing portions of the rubble.

Officials of the Kwara State Emergency Management Agency were equally at the scene as the rescue operation continued.

The emergency responders were said to be working carefully to remove the debris and gain access to portions of the collapsed building where victims were suspected to be trapped.

The operation was also expected to involve an assessment of the structure and surrounding area to ensure that rescuers were not exposed to additional danger while searching for survivors.

As of the time of filing this report, the full extent of the collapse and the number of persons who may have been affected remained unclear.

Cause of collapse unknown

The immediate cause of the building collapse has not been established.

Officials had yet to release an official explanation as to what led to the failure of the three-storey structure.

Building collapses in Nigeria are often investigated to determine whether factors such as structural defects, substandard building materials, poor workmanship, foundation problems, unauthorised alterations or failure to comply with approved building specifications played any role.

However, it would be premature to attribute Tuesday’s incident to any particular factor until the relevant authorities complete their assessment and investigation.

Residents of the area were therefore urged to keep away from unstable portions of the collapsed structure and allow emergency personnel to conduct the rescue operation without unnecessary obstruction.

Rescue operation continues

The major focus of the authorities at the moment remained the rescue of persons who may still be trapped under the rubble and ensuring that the area was safe for emergency personnel and members of the public.

The four persons already rescued alive from the debris provided some relief amid the uncertainty surrounding the fate of those still feared trapped.

Emergency responders were expected to continue their search until the rubble had been adequately cleared and the authorities were able to establish the number of people who were inside the building when it collapsed.

The incident has once again drawn attention to the dangers associated with building failures and the importance of strict compliance with construction and safety regulations.

As rescue efforts continued at the Popo-Giwa, Masalasi Gogoro area of Ilorin, residents, emergency agencies and other stakeholders remained hopeful that more occupants would be found alive and brought out safely from the debris.