Panic gripped Oko community in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State late on Sunday after a three-storey building serving as a student hostel collapsed, leaving an unknown number of occupants feared trapped beneath the rubble.
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The building, known as Elite Five Star Lodge and located beside Tonimas Filling Station in Amokpala, Oko, reportedly collapsed late on Sunday night into the early hours of Monday while several occupants, believed to be mostly students, were inside.
Eyewitnesses said a loud bang was heard moments before the multi-storey building gave way, sending students, residents and passers-by rushing to the scene in confusion and fear.
One eyewitness, who identified herself simply as Ifeoma, said residents heard a loud noise before the building collapsed and occupants began shouting for help.
“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.
“Within moments after the loud noise from the building, the occupants inside started shouting for help as the building fell,” she said.
Another eyewitness said, “We heard a loud bang, and within seconds people were screaming for help. Everyone rushed out to see what had happened.”
Videos and photographs circulating on social media showed a large crowd gathered around the collapsed structure as residents, students, security personnel and emergency responders launched frantic efforts to locate and rescue those trapped beneath the debris.
Local volunteers were also seen helping to clear the rubble as rescue workers searched for survivors.
The Anambra State Fire Service, the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency and other emergency response organisations were deployed to the scene to support the operation.
The spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident in a statement on Monday and urged members of the public to remain calm while rescue efforts continued.
Ikenga said the police-led Joint Security Team immediately mobilised to the scene after receiving a distress report, secured the area to prevent further danger and began coordinating rescue operations with other agencies.
“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,” he stated.
“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.”
The police spokesperson disclosed that some injured occupants had been rescued from the debris and taken to a hospital in Oko, where they were receiving medical attention.
“Some injured victims have been rescued from the debris and evacuated to a hospital in Oko, where they are currently receiving medical attention,” he said.
Ikenga added that rescue operations were continuing to reach other persons who might still be trapped, noting that the number of casualties or affected occupants could not yet be confirmed.
As of the time of filing this report, the authorities had not established the total number of people trapped, injured or killed in the incident.
The cause of the building collapse also remained unknown, while officials were expected to commence an investigation after the conclusion of the rescue operation.
The police urged residents and members of the public to avoid spreading unverified information and stay away from the scene to allow emergency responders unrestricted access.
“Further updates will be communicated as more verified information becomes available,” Ikenga added.
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