There was panic among residents of Oko in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State in the early hours of Monday after a three-storey building used as a student hostel suddenly collapsed, trapping an unknown number of occupants beneath the rubble.
The building, identified as Elite Five Star Lodge, is located beside Tonimas Filling Station in Amokpala, Oko, a university community that houses a large population of students attending tertiary institutions in the area.
The collapse, which occurred while many occupants were believed to be asleep, sent shockwaves through the community as frightened residents, students and passers-by rushed to the scene following a loud crashing sound.
Although the exact number of people trapped or killed could not be immediately established, eyewitnesses said several occupants, believed to be mostly students, were inside the building when it gave way.
The Anambra State Police Command confirmed the incident, saying a Police-led Joint Security Team immediately mobilised to the scene after receiving a distress call.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the police quickly secured the area to prevent further danger while coordinating rescue operations with the Anambra State Fire Service, the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and other emergency responders.
According to Ikenga, rescue efforts remain ongoing to reach victims believed to be trapped beneath the debris.
“The Anambra State Police-led Joint Security Team assures the public that rescue operations are ongoing following the late-night incident on Sunday involving the collapse of a three-storey building known as Elite Five Star Lodge, located beside Tonimas Filling Station, Amokpala, Oko, in Orumba North Local Government Area of the state.
“The incident resulted in some occupants being trapped beneath the rubble. 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.
“The Anambra State Fire Service and the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency also responded promptly and joined in the rescue operation,” he said.
The police spokesman disclosed that some injured victims had already been rescued from the collapsed structure and evacuated to a hospital in Oko, where they were receiving treatment.
He, however, noted that authorities were yet to ascertain the number of casualties or the total number of persons affected.
Ikenga appealed to residents to remain calm, refrain from spreading unverified information and stay away from the disaster site to allow emergency workers unrestricted access.
“Further updates will be communicated as more verified information becomes available,” he added.
Residents described scenes of fear and confusion as the building suddenly collapsed without warning.
One eyewitness, who identified herself simply as Ifeoma, said many people initially mistook the loud sound for an explosion before discovering that the student hostel had crumbled.
“We heard a very loud noise before the building collapsed. The noise attracted many residents and students, who rushed to the scene to see what had happened. And within moments after the loud noise from the building, the occupants inside started shouting for help as the building fell”, she said.
Videos and photographs circulating on social media showed rescue workers, security personnel and volunteers digging through heaps of concrete, twisted metal and broken blocks in search of survivors as anxious residents watched from a distance.
No official confirmation of the number of those rescued, injured or still trapped beneath the rubble.