A three-storey hostel close to the Federal Polytechnic Oko has collapsed, triggering panic as emergency responders work urgently to locate students and other occupants believed to be trapped beneath the debris.
The building, known as Elite Five Star Lodge, came down late on Sunday night in the Amokpala area of Oko, near Tonimas Filling Station in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State. The hostel, which accommodates students of the institution, collapsed under circumstances that are yet to be determined.
Witnesses said the incident caused widespread panic in the community, with cries for help reportedly heard from beneath the rubble as residents and students rushed to the scene.
Rescue operations commenced almost immediately, involving personnel from the Anambra State Police Command, the Anambra State Fire Service, the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), and other emergency responders searching for survivors.
Several occupants have so far been rescued alive and taken to nearby hospitals for medical attention, while search teams continue clearing the wreckage in the hope of finding more people who may still be trapped.
Authorities have not confirmed the number of casualties or those still missing, explaining that the situation remains fluid as rescue efforts continue.
Police spokesperson SP Tochukwu Ikenga confirmed the collapse, saying security personnel swiftly secured the area and are collaborating with emergency agencies to facilitate the ongoing rescue mission.
He urged the public to stay away from the scene, cooperate with emergency officials, and refrain from spreading unverified information, assuring that additional updates would be provided as more facts are established.
