Five persons have been confirmed dead, and many injured as a three-storey building, said to be under construction, collapsed at the Gudu district of Abuja, the nation’s capital.

Confirming the incident, Nkechi Isah, the Spokesperson for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Emergency Management Department, said that 11 persons had also been rescued alive and rushed to the hospital.

He noted, “ search and rescue operations are ongoing as emergency responders battle to rescue more persons trapped in the rubble of a collapsed three-storey building at the Gudu District in the FCT.

“The structure, which is under construction and located behind the Gudu market, went down at about 3.30 am today. FEMD Search and Rescue team reports that a total of 16 people have so far been rescued.

“11 of the rescued victims have been taken to the Federal Medical Centre Abuja, Asokoro District Hospital and Maitama Hospital for treatment. However, 5 other victims lost their lives during the incident.

“FEMD, National Emergency Management Agency, Federal Fire Service, FCT Fire Service, FCT Police Command are on the ground at the incident scene. Most of the people trapped in rubble are said to be labourers working on the three-storey building.”