A yet-to-be-ascertained number of persons have been trapped following the collapse of a building under construction in the Ochanja market in Onitsha, Anambra state.

The cause of the collapse, which happened on Monday evening, is yet to be determined.

Chukwuma Soludo, governor of the state, who visited the site on Tuesday, said five casualties have been recorded so far.

Soludo described the incident as tragic and one “that was not supposed to happen”. He disclosed that 26 individuals had been rescued and hospitalised, with rescue efforts ongoing to locate those still trapped under the rubble.

“The contractor at his own cost will come and put down the illegal buildings he erected here,” the governor said.

“They are all going to come down. My government did not approve of this building. We will redesign this area and build it properly.”

He added that other buildings constructed without proper approval will be demolished, including structures currently under construction at other markets.

“A comprehensive inventory of buildings in Anambra markets and public places will be conducted,” Soludo said.

“Markets will undergo integrity tests to identify and remove potentially unsafe structures, and individuals found responsible for illegal construction will face legal consequences.”

The governor also assured that the hospital bills of those receiving treatment will be offset by the government, and expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives.