TDA shopping complex under construction along Peter Odili Road in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, collapsed on Wednesday, trapping several workers beneath the rubble and triggering a large-scale rescue operation.
The building, described by eyewitnesses as a four- to five-storey commercial structure intended for shopping and business activities, suddenly caved in while construction work was ongoing.
Watch video clip of the collapsed building:
The incident occurred near the Eterna Filling Station axis of the busy Peter Odili Road.
Witnesses said some workers managed to escape moments after the collapse, while others were trapped inside the structure.
Emergency responders, security agencies, and local volunteers immediately mobilised to the scene to begin rescue efforts.
Initial reports indicated that at least two to four victims were rescued alive and taken to hospital for treatment.
Meanwhile, search teams continued combing through the debris for additional survivors.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the exact number of people trapped or the total casualties from the incident.
Officials from the Rivers State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, the police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and other emergency agencies were seen coordinating rescue operations at the site.
Heavy equipment, including excavators and cranes, was deployed to assist in removing concrete slabs and other debris.
The cause of the collapse remains unknown, and authorities have commenced investigations.
The incident has renewed concerns about building safety and regulatory compliance in Rivers State, coming shortly after another building collapse was reported elsewhere in Port Harcourt.
Rescue operations were still ongoing as of press time, with anxious relatives and residents awaiting updates on the fate of those believed to be trapped beneath the collapsed structure.
