Two people have been confirmed dead and three others rescued after a three-storey student hostel, Elite Five Star Lodge, collapsed in Amaokpala, near the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The Punch reported that the incident occurred on Sunday night when the building, which reportedly contained about 60 rooms, suddenly gave way while occupants, believed to be mostly students, were inside.
The collapse triggered panic in the community as residents and passers-by feared that several people had been trapped beneath the rubble.
Residents said the structure crashed without warning after a loud sound was heard moments earlier.
One eyewitness, Ifeoma, recounted the frightening moment, noting that,“We heard a very loud noise before the building collapsed. The noise attracted many residents and students, who rushed to the area to see what had happened.
“Within moments after the loud noise, people started shouting for help as the building came crashing down,” she said.
Videos and photographs shared on social media showed large crowds gathered around the site while emergency responders, security personnel and volunteers worked tirelessly to locate survivors buried under the debris.
A coordinated rescue operation involving the Nigerian Red Cross Society, the National Emergency Management Agency, the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency, the Anambra State Fire Service, the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies began in the early hours of Monday.
Rescue workers deployed excavators and other heavy equipment to clear the wreckage carefully while searching for survivors and ensuring the safety of personnel involved in the operation.
As the exercise continued, anxious students, residents and sympathisers watched from a distance while security operatives restricted access to the area to prevent interference.
By about 6:55 p.m. on Monday, emergency officials recovered the body of another male victim from the rubble, increasing the death toll to two.
The acting Executive Secretary of the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency, Ndidi Omega, confirmed the latest casualty and disclosed that three injured victims had earlier been pulled alive from the collapsed structure and taken to hospital.
She said, “One female body was recovered, while three persons were rescued and taken to the hospital. The rescue operation will continue until every section of the debris has been thoroughly searched.”
The Head of Media and Publicity of the Anambra State Fire Service, Chukwudi Chiketa, also confirmed the recovery.
“Upon arrival at the scene, fire service personnel immediately commenced search and rescue operations in collaboration with other emergency responders.
“Regrettably, one female victim was recovered from the rubble. She was confirmed dead at the scene, and her body was evacuated and handed over to the appropriate authorities for deposition in a morgue.
“Search and rescue operations are still ongoing to determine whether any other persons remain trapped beneath the debris.
“The cause of the building collapse was yet to be determined and remains under investigation,” Chiketa said.
He also appealed to members of the public to stay clear of the area to allow emergency teams to carry out their assignment without obstruction.
The spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, Tochukwu Ikenga, said police officers responded immediately after receiving reports of the incident and worked alongside other agencies to secure the area and support rescue efforts.
“On receipt of the distress report, the police, in collaboration with other security agencies, immediately mobilised to the scene, secured the area to prevent further danger and coordinated rescue efforts,” Ikenga said.
He explained that rescue operations were continuing to establish whether more victims remained trapped beneath the debris, noting that the exact casualty figure was yet to be determined.
“Some injured victims have been rescued from the debris and taken to a hospital in Oko, where they are receiving treatment.
“Residents are advised to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information and stay away from the scene to allow emergency responders unrestricted access,” he added.
Meanwhile, the National Emergency Management Agency has cordoned off the collapsed building to ensure rescue activities proceed unhindered and to preserve the site for investigation.
A NEMA official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the restriction became necessary because some residents and students had been gathering around the scene, disrupting ongoing operations.
“The building has been sealed with red tape and barricaded to restrict movement around the premises. Before now, some students and residents were loitering around the site, thereby distracting rescue workers,” the official said.
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