Several Feared Trapped As Four-Storey Hotel Under Construction Collapses In Enugu

Several people are feared trapped after a four-storey building under construction collapsed at No. 1 Ogbaguru Street, Independence Layout, Enugu State, opposite St Patrick’s Hospital, on Sunday morning.

The building, which was reportedly being developed as a hotel, collapsed at about 8:00 a.m., with a section of the structure giving way and burying construction workers who were said to be staying inside the uncompleted building.

A viral video posted online by activist Chuks showed residents and passersby gathered around the collapsed structure as frantic efforts were being made to reach people believed to be trapped beneath the rubble.

An eyewitness who filmed the scene said the collapse occurred about 30 minutes before he arrived at the building, adding that people were still believed to be inside.

“People are still inside. Look at the collapsed side. Half or part of the building,” the eyewitness said while showing the damaged structure.

He later entered part of the building to determine whether those trapped could be heard and called for urgent intervention by government authorities, particularly the provision of an excavator to aid the rescue operation.

BREAKING:

People are reportedly tråpped after a building c0llapsed right now at No. 1 Ogbaguru Street, Independence Layout, Enugu, opposite Niger Foundation Hospital.

According to the reporter, people are currently trapped inside the collapsed building. pic.twitter.com/glmCcRZ86d

— CHUKS 🍥 (@ChuksEricE) September 13, 2026

The eyewitness also spoke with a man identified as Bruce, who appeared to have escaped from the building. He urged him not to remain inside the unstable structure, warning that the remaining section could also collapse.

He said some people were still alive beneath the rubble and that locals were attempting to cut through metal rods and debris to reach them.

“They are still alive and we are praying that nothing will press down the lumps of blocks, concrete and all that,” he said.

The collapse also reportedly affected vehicles parked within the premises of the nearby St Patrick’s Hospital.

According to the eyewitness, debris from the building fell towards the hospital area and damaged some vehicles parked there.

He further raised concerns over electrical hazards at the scene, saying portions of roofing materials had become entangled with electric wires following the collapse.

“If it is still on, it is dangerous,” he warned, appealing for electricity to be disconnected around the area to prevent further danger to rescuers and residents.

Hundreds of residents and passersby were reportedly drawn to the scene by the sound of the collapse, with locals joining efforts to rescue those trapped.

The heavy debris, however, was said to be hampering the rescue operation, prompting calls for an excavator and other emergency equipment.

The exact cause of the collapse was not immediately known as of the time of filing this report.

The incident has, however, renewed concerns over the enforcement of building regulations, professional supervision, construction standards and the activities of unqualified practitioners in Nigeria’s building industry.

Building collapses have remained a recurring problem in the country, often resulting in deaths and injuries while raising questions about regulatory enforcement and accountability.(SaharaReporters)