Many Feared Trapped as Three-Storey Building Collapses in Anambra
A three-storey building with four suspended floors under construction has collapsed in Awka, Anambra State.
The structure, located behind the Anambra State House of Assembly near Ekwueme Square in Okpuno, gave way suddenly around 11:40 a.m. on Thursday, September 25, 2025.
The incident sparked panic among residents and passers-by as several people mostly construction workers were believed to be trapped beneath the debris.
Eyewitnesses reported that the building caved in without warning, saying the exact number of those trapped inside the rubble was still unknown.
“The building collapsed this morning (Thursday) as some artisans were carrying out construction works on the roof of the structure. The building made some noise as it was collapsing while some construction workers were at the site. No one can say the cause of the collapse for now, but some government officials arrived at the scene shortly after. Rescue efforts have not begun as they said they were waiting for excavators to arrive,” an eyewitness said.
The cause of the collapse and casualty figures have not yet been confirmed, but some officials from the state Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and the Materials Testing Department are already on the ground to ascertain the cause.
The Chairman of COREN-ERM, Anambra State, Engr Victor Meju, said, “It was a five-storey building, six floors, still under construction at its roofing stage. It is a private building. It was gathered that the structure was roofed last Thursday.
“On-site preliminary investigation revealed that it was a vertically complete collapse to the rubble. On-site preliminary investigation also revealed that the collapse occurred as a result of a poor concrete mixture and a likely foundation problem.
“The relevant agencies, such as the Ministry of Housing and the Awka Capital Territory Development Agency (ACTDA), have been notified and are on the ground to monitor and offer rescue operations.”
