Tragedy struck in the late hours of Wednesday as scores were reportedly trapped when a three-storey building under construction collapsed in Awka, the Anambra State capital.

The incident occurred in the highbrow business area of Awka town along the busy Enugu-Awka-Onitsha expressway.

An unspecified number of construction workers were said to have been trapped under the rubble of the collapsed building.

As of the time of this report, an ambulance and firefighters were seen battling to rescue those trapped, even as no caterpillar or other rescue equipment was present at the site.

A large number of sympathisers, including motorists travelling to and from Onitsha and Enugu, were forced to stop and observe the tragic scene. Traders and workers from nearby businesses also gathered to witness the aftermath of the collapse.

According to an eyewitness, ?I saw them carrying materials up the building. There were about five of them. There was also a security man. Earlier in the day, they had come to buy things at my shop and I sold to them.?

Another eyewitness, Monday Ibeh, corroborated the claim that people were trapped inside the collapsed building.

He stated that the fresh mixer equipment at the front of the building and other tools strongly indicated that workers were still inside when the incident occurred.

Occupants of nearby residential buildings revealed that in the past few weeks, work on the structure had intensified, leading to the finishing stage of the complex.

As of the time of this report, no additional rescue equipment had arrived at the scene, except for an ambulance and a fire truck. (Daily Sun)