A building under construction collapsed on Wednesday along Odili Road in Port Harcourt, leaving one person dead and three others rescued.
The incident occurred less than two days after another building collapse was reported in the Iwofe area of Rivers State.
The latest tragedy has renewed concerns about construction standards and regulatory compliance across the state.
Witnesses said the structure, believed to be a proposed hotel or commercial complex, collapsed during the morning hours.
Several construction workers were reportedly inside the three-storey building when the structure suddenly gave way.
The collapse triggered panic among residents and workers as people rushed to the scene.
Emergency responders immediately launched rescue operations to search for victims trapped beneath the rubble.
Personnel from the police, emergency agencies and humanitarian organisations participated in the operation.
Officials of the Rivers State Police Command quickly secured the area to prevent further casualties.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Ikechukwu Okoro said security agencies responded immediately after receiving reports of the collapse.
He disclosed that three victims were rescued alive and taken for medical treatment.
According to him, one rescued victim later died at the hospital due to injuries sustained during the incident.
Police authorities cordoned off the site to ensure safety and facilitate uninterrupted rescue efforts.
Heavy equipment was deployed to speed up the search for trapped victims.
Community volunteer Val Onwumelu said his team arrived after receiving reports of people buried beneath the debris.
He explained that rescuers heard voices from under the rubble shortly after reaching the site.
Careful excavation work led to the successful rescue of additional victims trapped inside the collapsed structure.
Emergency responders continued searching for others feared trapped beneath the remains of the building.
The Nigerian Red Cross confirmed that its personnel were actively involved in rescue operations.
Emergency First Aid Coordinator Yibotemeka Kalio said assessment teams were deployed immediately after the incident.
He noted that rescue efforts would continue until every victim was located and accounted for.
Eyewitnesses said construction activities were ongoing when the building unexpectedly collapsed.
Officials from the Rivers State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development also visited the scene.
Commissioner Edward Hart said the government responded promptly to support rescue operations and evaluate the situation.
Preliminary findings indicated that the property was allocated and approved by the Federal Housing Authority.
Hart stressed that the state government was nevertheless committed to assisting affected victims and investigators.
He attributed many building collapse incidents to violations of approved construction guidelines.
According to him, some developers exceed approved specifications during construction projects.
He also cited the use of substandard materials as a major contributor to structural failures.
The engagement of unqualified construction personnel was identified as another recurring problem.
The commissioner pledged stricter monitoring of construction sites across Rivers State.
He urged developers to comply with approved plans and employ qualified professionals throughout project execution.
Hart maintained that adherence to regulations and quality standards could significantly reduce future building failures.
As rescue operations continued, authorities expressed hope that no additional victims remained trapped beneath the rubble.
Investigations are expected to determine the exact cause of the collapse and possible violations of building regulations.
