Rivers launches investigation into collapsed 7-storey hotel

The Rivers State Government said it will launch a comprehensive investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the collapse of a seven-storey hotel under construction at the Woji GRA, Phase II in Port Harcourt. The State Government also declared that it will ensure that all persons trapped under the rubble were rescued. Speaking at […]

The Rivers State Government said it will launch a comprehensive investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the collapse of a seven-storey hotel under construction at the Woji GRA, Phase II in Port Harcourt.

The State Government also declared that it will ensure that all persons trapped under the rubble were rescued.

Speaking at the site of the collapsed building Chief of Staff to the Rivers State Governor, Engr. Chukwuemeka Woke said that about 20 persons have been rescued alive, while emergency personnel mobilized by the government were working round the clock to rescue more trapped persons.

The seven-storey hotel under construction collapsed to its foundation on Friday at about 05:30pm

About 30 persons; mainly brick layers, masons and artisans were in the building when it collapsed leaving one person reportedly dead.

A witness said the workers were casting on the last floor before it went down.

The Rivers State Chairman of the Association of Nigerian Architects (ANA), Arch. Sumber Egwuowu, who spoke on a radio programme monitored in Port Harcourt, blamed the collapse on poor evaluation and verification of soil test before carrying out the project.