A multi-storey building collapsed at Lagos Street in Garki, Abuja killing about 37 people while many others are trapped on Wednesday.
Confirming the incident, the Federal Emergency Management Authority said that 37 people had been rescued, while two were fatally injured.
The Director General of FEMA, Dr Abbass Idriss, in a quick release on Thursday morning, said the 37 rescued persons had all been taken to various medical facilities in Abuja, and that rescue efforts were ongoing, in collaboration with other rescue agencies.
“37 persons were rescued alive, while 2 others were fatally injured. Meanwhile, FEMA Search and Rescue team are awaiting excavators to intensify the search to ensure that no victim is left in the rubble of the collapsed building”.
“A combined team of the FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Federal Road Safety Corps,(FRSC),FCT Police Command, and the VIO are on the ground to carry out the rescue efforts”.
An eyewitness who was at the scene confirmed to an online platform (not The PUNCH) that the building housed many apartments, while the ground floor was full of shops.
He said the building collapsed during the downpour which started around 11 pm on Wednesday.
According to him, “There was wailing all over the place after the building collapsed. Dozens of people are either dead or trapped as the building is fully occupied.
“It was a scene of helplessness with people screaming and going helter-skelter, while the heavy rain continues,” he added.
As of the time of filing this report, officials of emergency agencies were yet to arrive at the scene of the incident. (Punch)