There was chaos on Thursday at the ongoing 21st African Senior Athletics Championships, tagged “Asaba 2018” following the collapse of a 30,000 metric ton water tank at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba.

Although no life was lost, the incident caused panic amongst athletes, officials and spectators who participated in day two of the events at the championships.

The collapsed water tank which left several vehicles and a fence damaged, created panic among the athletes and spectators as the game was going on.

A staff of the Delta State Sports Commission who spoke on condition of anonymity said “All construction works carried out in the stadium were done in a hurry resulting to substandard work. The collapsed water head tank was poorly done hence the collapse. You can even see that the stadium was not completed before the game started. The stanchions of the floodlighting system has not been installed”

But in a swift reaction, the State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has ordered an investigation into the remote and immediate cause of the collapsed Water Tank behind the main bowl of the Stephen Keshi Stadium during the ongoing African Senior Athletics Championships holding in Asaba

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Charles Aniagwu, Okowa described the incident as regrettable but thanked God no life was lost.

The Governor has directed an immediate investigation into the cause of the collapse of the water tank with a view to unravel the circumstances surrounding the collapse.

The statement also emphasised that disciplinary actions will be taken against anyone culpable in the collapse of the water tank if it is discovered that someone failed to do the right thing abinitio.

The statement further assured that Government will take necessary steps to avert future occurrence.

It urged athletes and the very enthusiastic spectators to continue to savor the beauty of the competition which so far has recorded appreciable success.