Tragedy struck in Anambra State after a three-storey students’ hostel collapsed in Amaokpala, near the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, leaving two persons dead and three others rescued.
The building, identified as Elite Five Star Lodge, reportedly caved in on Sunday night while occupants, mostly students, were inside, triggering panic as residents and passers-by rushed to the scene.
Eyewitnesses said a loud sound preceded the collapse, drawing attention before the structure came crashing down. Rescue efforts began hours later as emergency responders arrived and commenced operations.
A coordinated rescue team comprising the Nigerian Red Cross Society, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Anambra State Fire Service, the Nigeria Police and other security agencies worked through the debris using heavy equipment to locate survivors.
As of Monday evening, two fatalities had been confirmed, including a female victim earlier recovered from the rubble and a male victim found later, bringing the death toll to two.
The acting Executive Secretary of Anambra SEMA, Ndidi Omega, confirmed that three injured persons were rescued and taken to hospital, adding that search operations would continue until all sections of the debris are cleared.
The Anambra State Fire Service also confirmed the incident, noting that personnel immediately began search and rescue operations upon arrival, while the cause of the collapse remains under investigation.
Police authorities, through spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga, said the area had been secured to prevent further danger and ensure smooth rescue operations, urging residents to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information.
Meanwhile, NEMA has sealed off the site of the collapsed building to allow uninterrupted rescue efforts and facilitate investigation into the cause of the disaster.
Emergency officials say operations are ongoing to determine if more victims remain trapped beneath the rubble.
Source: Punch newspaper
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