FEMD rescues 2 persons from collapsed building in Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD) says it has rescued two persons from a collapsed building in Abuja.

Mr Florence Wenegieme, the acting Director-General of the department, who disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Saturday, said that the incidents happened at about 6:45 p.m. on Friday.

Wenegieme explained that the building collapsed at Close 10, Drive 5, Second Gate of Prince and Princess Estate, Gudu District, Abuja.

She said that FEMD activated the National Emergency Management Agency and the FCT Fire Service, immediately it received a distress call about the building collapse.

The acting D-G, who was accompanied by the Director, Department of Development Control, Mr Mukhtar Galadima, explained that the collapsed building was a duplex under construction.

She added that the construction workers ran out of the building as soon as they saw signs that the building was going to collapse.

“However, two people in the detached bungalow behind the building were trapped by the rubble from the collapsed building.

“The trapped workers were rescued by the FEMD Search and Rescue Team, who cut through the window protectors and pulled them out,” she said.

The acting D-G appealed to developers and individuals to adhere to building codes and carry out integrity tests on existing buildings before carrying out renovations.

She underscored the importance of engaging professionals as well as the provision of protective wear to ensure the safety of workers on site.

She also appealed to developers to provide insurance coverage for both the building and the workers on site.