No fewer than 23 persons were trapped when a three-storey building under construction collapsed in Sogoye area of Molete, Ibadan on Friday.
The incident occurred about 5.30p.m and rescue efforts are however ongoing.
Recall that another three-storey building housing a school had collapsed in the Lagos Island area of Lagos State on Wednesday, killing 20 people.
According to an eyewitness, David Aderibigbe, who lives close to the building site, no fewer than 23 workers and two food vendors were trapped in the building. He also said that only six of the victims had been rescued from the debris.
The Oyo State Government spokesman, Mr. Toye Arulogun, however said the government was on top of the situation.
“We have deployed two excavators there. Our officials are right there now, to rescue trapped victims. There is no cause for alarm.”
The three-storey building under construction suddenly collapsed with several people injured and others trapped in the building.
No death has been recorded so far.
Aderibigbe said some of the victims had been making telephone calls to friends and family members seeking help.
READ ALSO: Collapsed Building: Lagos Releases Casualty Figures, Begins Demolition of Distressed Buildings
One of the survivors, Toheeb Gbadamosi, 19, was quoted as saying: “Today is my first time of working at this place.
“I just came around in order to raise some money for my upkeep because things are difficult. I thank God that I came out of the rubble alive.”
Mojeed Agbaje, one of those involved in the rescue efforts, said two of his relatives, Tunde and Oladepo, were trapped in the building.
“I am worried because other people that I know are presently in the wreckage. Tunde sustained injuries on his face and limbs. We have taken him to Molete Hospital and he is recuperating,”
Another rescued victim, 42-year-old Olalekan Dauda said he was working with other artisans on the third floor when the building collapsed. He said he just heard a sudden blast and later found that he and others in the building were trapped in the rubble.
Mr Akin Makinde, the Secretary, Oyo State Emergency Management Agency, said the report of the accident was shocking.
He said that the agency had always warned builders to adhere to the building regulations to avoid disasters.
Tragedy struck when bricklayers and other artisans on site were rounding finishing off work for the day.
