Four Injured in Partial Collapse of 60-Year-Old Building in Port Harcourt

Four people were injured when part of a two-storey building collapsed in the Old Port Harcourt Township area of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Friday night. The building, located at No. 18 Club Road, is over 60 years old.

According to an eyewitness, the parapet, which is the low wall at the edge of the roof, broke away and fell onto the ground floor where people were gathered at a bar. The incident happened around 7 pm, causing panic among those present.

Initially, three people, including a woman, were reported injured when the debris fell. Fortunately, there were no fatalities. The witness noted that the building appeared to be in poor condition, suggesting it might not have been renovated in years.

After the collapse, residents of the building quickly moved out for fear that the entire structure might fall. A visit to the scene showed that while the debris had been cleared, signs of the collapse remained. The area was marked off with red tape by government officials.

The Rivers State Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning has ordered all occupants to leave the building for safety reasons. The ministry also warned residents against living in similarly old buildings.

The Press Secretary to the ministry confirmed that the commissioner visited the site and emphasized the dangers of living in such structures. They have been actively marking old buildings in the area for potential renovation.

The Rivers State Police also confirmed the incident and stated that an investigation is underway.