By Cajetan Mmuta
Four persons trapped victims were on Wednesday rescued from the debris and twenty others escaped death by whiskers from two collapsed buildings at different locations in Anambra state.

The incidents occurred when two separate-story buildings collapsed on Tuesday night in Amikwo village, Awka South Local government area, and Oko in Orumba North Government Area of the state.

The four victims were reportedly trapped inside the debris in the Oko building but were rescued with injuries, while about 20 persons reportedly escaped death in that of Amikwo village.

Eye witness account said the Amikwo building collapsed at about 2 am when it fell on part of an occupied nearby two-story building. No life was lost in the incident.

The building had been sealed by officials of the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA).

Managing Director, ACTDA, Ven Amaechi Okwuosa in reaction disclosed that the building had been under construction for the past ten years and was marked for demolition in 2018.

He said, “Although the developer had commenced demolition of the building, the right equipment was not used, hence the collapse”.

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Okwuosa promised the agency’s commitment towards ensuring the structural integrity of buildings done in the state capital territory.

When Contacted on the Oko incident, Executive Chairman of Anambra Physical Planning Board, Barrister Chike Maduekwe, blamed the incident on a compromise on structural integrity.

He said the building had since been sealed, while development partners had been invited for questioning.