Two individuals have tragically died in the collapse of a two-storey building at Ekeoyibo market in Amawbia, Anambra State. The incident occurred on Thursday when the building, which was still under construction and housing traders and shop owners, suddenly collapsed around noon, initially trapping several people.
Confirming the fatalities, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, spokesperson for the Anambra Police Command, stated that two victims were found deceased after rescue operations concluded. Several others who were initially trapped under the rubble were successfully rescued and are currently receiving medical treatment at a local hospital in Amawbia, the name of which has not been disclosed.
Ikenga explained, “Rescue operations were supervised by security personnel to maintain order and concluded late into the night. The Deputy Commissioner of Police for Operations led an assessment at the scene. The cause of the collapse remains undetermined at this time, and further details will be provided as investigations progress.”
The Amawbia incident follows a recent collapse of a five-storey building at Dennis Memorial Grammar School, which resulted in one fatality, and a similar tragedy at Ochanja Market in Onitsha four months ago, where six people died and 20 others were injured.
Expressing concern over these recurring building collapses, the state government and relevant agencies have set up panels and committees to investigate the incidents, although no conclusive reports have been issued yet.
While the Anambra government has not issued an official statement regarding the Amawbia collapse, it is expected that a statement will be released soon. At the collapse site, access was restricted, and witnesses reported that more than two fatalities occurred, with several others sustaining various injuries.
One trader, Uche, recalled, “The building collapsed suddenly, trapping traders without warning. More than two bodies were recovered, and several survivors were rescued during the night.”
Another witness, Nwafor, mourned, “One of the victims was my neighbor, a civil defense officer with four children. He perished while shopping in the market.”
Community members and stakeholders have called for a thorough investigation into the incident to prevent further tragedies. Efforts to obtain comments from market leaders were unsuccessful as they declined to speak on the matter.
