A five-storey building under construction collapsed Monday in Port Harcourt, the capital of Nigeria's southeastern state of Rivers, killing at least 30 people, local newspaper The Guardian reported Tuesday.
Special Adviser to the State Governor Godwin Bebe-Okpabi was quoted as confirming that at least 30 persons are feared trapped inside the building, including a newly wedded man and his pregnant wife.
The victims were said to be sleeping when the entire building collapsed at about 4 a.m. (0300 GMT).
Only three persons have been so far rescued alive from the rubbles, an eyewitness said.
This tragedy is the third since May this year. Two other building collapse accidents occurred in the capital city, claiming over 40 lives.
Tele Ikuru, Rivers State Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, blamed the collapse on what he described as the improper way the foundation of the house was laid.
Though the cause has not yet been officially ascertained so far, most local residents said it might have been caused by the heavy downpour at the weekend.
Building collapse accidents frequently occurred during the rainy season which starts in late April and ends in early November in the country.
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