2 feared dead as building collapses in Ebonyi

Two persons were feared dead when a section of a building, yesterday, collapsed in Abakaliki, Ebonyi state capital.
The incident which happened around 4:30pm on Tuesday at No 9A Obiri Street near Abakpa main market in the heart of the city, affected the balcony of the building which caved in.
According to eyewitnesses, an occupant of the top floor of the two storey building was resting on the balcony when it collapsed throwing the man out to the ground in front of the building.
Also, the blocks from the collapsed balcony landed on another person who was in front of the building, injuring him seriously.
Both of them were immediately rushed to Trinity Hospital where they are receiving medical attention.
Our reporter, who visited the scene noticed blood stains in front of the building and wreckage from the collapsed balcony while a large crowd gathered in front of the building.
It was gathered that the balcony were not part of the original plan of the building but was an addition to the building.
“It was not properly done as they did not properly attach if to the building with iron and concrete, but with block and cement only, hence the collapse”, a source alleged.
Other balconies on the building have started showing signs of collapsing as cracks could be noticed on them.
Elder Igboke Umunna, board member of the State Emergency Management Agency who visited scene of the incident said he will report the findings to government for appropriate actions.