Two hospitalized in Ebonyi after ​partial building collapse

Two people were on Tuesday seriously injured when a section of a building collapsed in Abakaliki, Ebonyi state capital.

The incident occurred at 4:30pm at No 9A Obiri Street near Abakpa Main Market in the heart of the city.

According to witnesses, an occupant of the top floor of the two-storey building was resting on the balcony when it collapsed, throwing him off balance onto the ground.

The witnesses also said the bricks from the collapsed balcony landed on a bystander, who was in front of the building when the accident occurred.

Sources said both of them were immediately taken to the Trinity Hospital for treatment.

Our reporter who visited the scene noticed blood stains in front of the building and the wreckage of the balcony.

It was gathered that balconies on the building were not part of the original plan of the building but were later fixed to the building.

“It was not properly done as they did not properly attach it to the building with iron and concrete, but with block and cement only, hence the collapse,” a source alleged.

Our reporter observed that other balconies on the building have started showing signs of collapsing as cracks could be noticed on them.

A board member of the state emergency management agency, Igboke Umunna, who visited scene of the accident, said he would report findings to the government for appropriate actions.