The incident occurred on Friday, October 9, at No. 18 Club Road, where part of the building’s upper section reportedly broke away and fell onto the ground floor, striking people gathered at a bar.

The structure is believed to be more than 60 years old, according to residents familiar with the property.

An eyewitness said the incident caused panic among customers and other people at the premises, as debris fell from the second floor. A woman was among those reportedly injured, with the witness saying she sustained injuries around her head and ear.

The Rivers State Police Command confirmed that four people were injured and taken to hospital for treatment. The command’s spokesperson, Assistant Superintendent of Police Blessing Agabe, said the affected area had been cordoned off and investigations were ongoing.

Following the incident, occupants of the residential building reportedly left the premises over fears that further structural failure could occur.

Officials of the Rivers State Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning also visited the property on Saturday, October 10, to assess the situation and direct residents to leave.

The ministry’s Press Secretary, Isabella Ibim, confirmed that the commissioner had instructed occupants to vacate the building, warning that ageing and potentially unsafe structures could pose serious risks to human lives.

Ibim said the commissioner was relieved that no life had been lost and noted that the damage appeared to involve part of the structure rather than a complete collapse. However, the building’s safety would require appropriate assessment.

The affected property was subsequently cordoned off with red tape, while debris from the collapse had been cleared from the front of the building by Sunday. Signs of the damage remained visible at the scene.

The ministry also said it had been carrying out awareness campaigns and identifying old buildings requiring renovation in areas including Diobu and Borikiri, as part of efforts to prevent incidents involving structurally distressed properties.

The incident has renewed concerns about the safety of ageing buildings in Port Harcourt and the need for regular structural assessments and proper maintenance.

While the building’s age has raised questions about its condition, the precise cause of the partial collapse has not been established publicly. The ongoing investigation is expected to provide further information about the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Authorities have urged residents to take warnings about unsafe buildings seriously and comply with evacuation directives where structures are considered dangerous.

The immediate priority remains protecting occupants and members of the public while officials assess the property and determine what further action may be necessary.

Reporting by TalkNaijaMedia