The Soweto neighbourhood in Koumassi, in southern Abidjan, was the scene of a tragic incident on the morning of Saturday when a five-storey building under construction suddenly collapsed, killing eight people.
Search and rescue operations carried out intensively by fire and emergency services recovered eight lifeless bodies from the rubble. The Koumassi municipal council swiftly reacted to the tragedy, expressing its sincere condolences to the bereaved families.
Investigations moved quickly in the hours following the collapse. In an official statement, the Ministry of Construction, Housing and Urban Development indicated that initial findings point to irregularities surrounding the project’s legal status.
According to the ministry, the construction site had no building permit, a serious violation of urban planning regulations that once again raises concerns about safety standards in construction projects in the country’s economic capital.
As a precautionary measure and to prevent further incidents, authorities evacuated an adjacent building that had been significantly weakened by the collapse.
The site has since been secured, and officials have ordered the complete demolition of the remaining structure to eliminate any residual risk. Alongside the care and evacuation of victims, the government has launched legal proceedings.
Administrative and judicial actions have already been initiated to clearly establish responsibility, sanction those behind the illegal construction, the Ministry of Construction added.
AP/lb/as/APA