Emergency Teams Continue Search For Survivors After Midnight Tragedy In Gudu Area
At least five persons have been confirmed dead while 11 others were hospitalised after a three-storey building under construction collapsed in Abuja during the early hours of Saturday.
The tragic incident occurred around 3:30am in the Gudu district of the Federal Capital Territory, specifically behind Gudu Market near the Gaduwa Estate area of Durumi 3.
According to emergency officials, several people — mostly labourers working at the construction site — were trapped beneath the rubble after the structure suddenly gave way in the middle of the night.
Rescue teams and emergency responders immediately launched operations at the scene, successfully pulling out 16 victims from the debris.
Authorities confirmed that 11 of the rescued victims were found alive and later rushed to different hospitals within Abuja, including the Federal Medical Centre, Asokoro District Hospital and Maitama Hospital for urgent medical treatment.
However, five other victims were confirmed dead following the collapse.
Officials disclosed that search and rescue operations were still ongoing as emergency workers continued combing through the rubble in search of additional survivors who may still be trapped beneath the collapsed structure.
Several emergency agencies were deployed to the scene, including the Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department, the National Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Fire Service, the FCT Fire Service and the FCT Police Command.
Health officials, rescue workers and local volunteers were also seen participating in the operation as anxious residents gathered around the area while security operatives cordoned off the site.
The Mandate Secretary for Health Services and Environment in the FCT, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, visited the scene of the tragedy and disclosed that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, had directed that all injured victims receive free medical treatment.
The Head of Public Affairs of the FCT Emergency Management Department, Nkechi Isa, also confirmed the casualty figures in an official statement released on Saturday morning.
According to her, emergency teams were still working tirelessly to reach possible survivors trapped beneath the debris as rescue efforts continued.
By Omeiza Ajayi, ABUJA
