A three-storey building with four suspended floors under construction collapsed on Thursday morning behind the Anambra State House of Assembly, near Ekwueme Square in Okpuno, Awka, the state capital.

The building, which was at the roofing stage, reportedly gave way around 11:40 am, causing panic among residents and passers-by. Several construction workers and occupants were said to be trapped in the debris, though the exact number remains unclear.

Eyewitnesses said the structure fell suddenly with no prior warning, prompting immediate rescue attempts by bystanders. However, efforts were hampered by the absence of heavy equipment such as excavators.

Officials from the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and the state materials testing department arrived at the scene to investigate the cause of the collapse.

Sir Victor Meju, Chairman of COREN-ERM in Anambra State, stated that the building was a five-storey private structure with a sixth floor under construction. Preliminary assessments suggest poor concrete mixture and possible foundation defects as the likely reasons for the collapse.

State agencies, including the Ministry of Housing and the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority, have been alerted and are coordinating ongoing rescue operations.

Anambra State Police spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said he had not yet received full details of the incident but would make enquiries to ascertain the situation.