At least four people, including children, were injured when a residential building collapsed in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State early Monday morning.
The incident occurred after heavy rainfall the previous evening weakened the foundation of the structure, leading to its eventual collapse.
The building, owned by a local resident named Samuel Stephen, crumbled while the occupants were asleep, leaving them trapped under debris.
The house, located near Government College in Riyom, gave way in the early hours of the morning, but fortunately, no fatalities were recorded.
Local community member Dusu Judith confirmed the incident, stating, “The people were just sleeping in their house last night when the building collapsed. Thankfully, no deaths were recorded, but four people were injured. Most of those injured were children, and they are currently receiving treatment at a hospital.”
Another resident, Bot Rwang, expressed his shock and relief at the outcome, saying, “We really thank God that the several family members living in the house escaped when it caved in on Monday morning. It’s truly miraculous how they survived, considering the house completely collapsed, leaving debris scattered on the ground.”
The heavy downpour, which lasted several hours, is believed to have significantly weakened the house’s foundation. Local authorities are now assessing the situation and have urged residents in the area to be cautious, especially during periods of heavy rain, as aging structures and poor drainage systems pose potential risks.
As the rainy season continues, concerns over the structural integrity of homes in the region are growing, with community leaders calling for preventive measures to avoid future incidents.