Two Feared Dead, Many Trapped in Anambra Building Collapse

A four-storey building under construction collapsed yesterday at Dennis Memorial Grammar School (DMGS) in Onitsha, Anambra State. The collapse occurred around 7:15 AM, trapping several individuals under the rubble.

The building, funded by a local billionaire and nearly completed, began to collapse from the top floor, eventually reducing to debris. Although there have been no confirmed fatalities, a source from the school expressed fears that some of the trapped individuals might not survive.

The school had invested significant resources into the construction of the building. Fortunately, the students’ hostel was located far from the construction site, preventing a more catastrophic situation.

Chijioke Ojji, the Director of Operations for DMGS Centenary, described the incident as dire, emphasizing the potential for casualties. He assured that efforts were underway to ensure the safety and accountability of everyone near the collapse.

Victor Meju, Chairman of the Anambra State Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), suggested that human error might be a contributing factor. COREN plans to conduct a forensic analysis to determine the exact cause. Meju noted that some building materials had been certified as proper but stressed the need for a thorough investigation.

Emergency response teams, including the Police Command, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), state Deputy Governor Dr. Onyekachukwi Ibezim, and several commissioners, have arrived at the scene to assist with evacuation efforts.

At the time of reporting, there was uncertainty regarding the exact number of casualties. The site engineer revealed that three workers were present two days before the collapse, and the phone numbers of two of them remain unreachable.