At least five people have been confirmed dead after a three-storey building under construction in the Durumi 3, near Gudu market in Abuja, collapsed on Saturday morning.
Giving an update on the incident which occurred in the morning, Lere Olayinka, spokesperson for Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory, said in a statement that 10 people were also injured.
Olayinka added that one person was rescued alive from the collapsed building after spending more than nine hours under the rubble.
The victims were believed to be construction workers on site when the building came down.
“Rescue operations still ongoing as emergency responders continued efforts to evacuate more victims believed to be trapped beneath the rubble at the construction site located around Gaduwa Estate in the Gudu district,” he said.
“Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Mandate Secretary of the Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, who was at the scene, said the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has directed that all casualties be given free medical treatment.”
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) had earlier in a statement said four people died in the collapsed building, noting that 12 others were injured.
NEMA said it got a distress alert soon after the incident and swiftly deployed rescue teams for search-and-rescue efforts.
“Critical stakeholders including Federal Fire, FCT Fire, NSCDC, NPF, FRSC and Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) were activated while a response team of NEMA from the Abuja Operations Office led by the Head of Operations Mr Zakari Abubakar and operatives from AYA Emergency Response Bay (ERAB) were deployed to the scene for quick response and coordination,” the statement reads.
“A reinforcement team from NEMA Headquarters led by the Director Search and Response (DSAR) Air Cdre Bature Usman was also on ground to provide necessary backup and supervision.”
The agency said the casualties have so far been evacuated to Asokoro General Hospital for treatment.
