- Building housed multiple apartments, with ground floor occupied by shops
- Attah confirms presence of rescue team and first responders around 2 am, ongoing rescue efforts despite rain
An unspecified number of individuals are feared to have lost their lives, and numerous others are trapped following the collapse of a multi-storey building during heavy rainfall on Wednesday night, August 23.
The incident occurred on Lagos Street within the Garki village area of Garki II district in Abuja.
Reportedly, the building in question had accommodated multiple apartments, with shops occupying the ground floor.
In the meantime, Ikharo Attah, a former aide to the previous Minister of the FCT, has indicated that thirty-seven people have been successfully rescued and taken to hospitals, while others remain trapped. Attah verified that a rescue team and other first responders were present around 2 am, engaged in ongoing efforts to rescue those affected by the collapse.
He wrote on Facebook, “So far 37 persons have so far been evacuated to Hospital, Two ‘Fatally injured’. Others reportedly still trapped
Rescue team and others are on ground.
Rescue operations on but slowly due to ongoing rain.
They are making frantic efforts at getting an excavator to remove people from the rubble.”
The areas where buildings are marked for demolition have earlier been surveyed by the Federal Capital Development Authority before this administration.
The demolition, according to the FCTA, will affect about 6,000 buildings, adding that the exercise is part of the effort to rid the territory of shanties and illegal structures.
The FCTA said the demolition will affect 30 areas across the Federal Capital Territory.
Collapse occurred on Lagos Street in Garki village, Garki II district, Abuja.