Many feared they were trapped in the student hostel collapse in Anambra

A three-storey building used as a student hostel has collapsed in Oko, Orumba North Local Government Area of ​​Anambra State, leaving an unknown number of occupants trapped under the rubble.

The building, identified as Elite Five Star Lodge, is located next to Tonimas Filling Station in Amokpala, Oko. The incident reportedly occurred in the early hours of Monday, sparking panic among residents, students and business owners in the area.

Rescuers were immediately mobilized to the scene as frantic efforts began to rescue those believed to be trapped under the rubble.

Panic as the building caves in

Eyewitnesses said the collapse occurred while several students were inside the building, raising fears that many occupants may still be buried under the rubble.

Residents described scenes of confusion and desperation as people rushed towards the building after hearing a loud crash.

An eyewitness, who identified himself simply as Ifeoma, said the noise alerted people in the neighborhood before the structure suddenly gave way.

“We heard a very loud noise before the building collapsed. The noise attracted many residents and students, who rushed to the spot to see what had happened. Moments after the loud noise, the occupants inside started screaming for help as the building collapsed,” he said.

According to witnesses, the volunteers immediately joined the rescuers in trying to extract the victims from the rubble before the rescuers arrived.

Videos and photographs circulating on social media showed a large crowd gathered around the collapsed structure as security personnel, rescuers and local volunteers searched for survivors.

Emergency agencies start rescue operation

Rescue operations began shortly after the accident, with officials from the Anambra State Fire Service, Anambra State Emergency Management Agency and other emergency agencies responding to the distress call.

The agencies worked alongside security workers and community volunteers to clear debris and search for trapped people.

Heavy emergency vehicles were also expected on site to speed up the operation as authorities continued to assess the extent of the damage.

Authorities have yet to establish the exact number of people who were inside the building at the time of the collapse.

The police confirm the accident

Anambra State Police Command spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident in a statement released on Monday.

He said the police-led joint security team responded immediately after receiving information about the collapse and secured the area to avoid further casualties.

According to him, the officers coordinated rescue efforts with other emergency agencies, including the Anambra State Fire Service and the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency.

Ikenga said the rescue mission was still ongoing as officials continued to search for other possible survivors trapped under the rubble.

Victims saved, others still missing

The police spokesperson revealed that some injured victims had already been rescued from the collapsed building and evacuated to a hospital in Oko, where they were receiving medical treatment.

However, he stressed that authorities could not immediately confirm the number of victims, injured or people still trapped because rescue operations were still ongoing.

He added that emergency workers were carefully removing debris to avoid causing further injuries to anyone who may still be alive under the rubble.

Residents are asked to stay away

Ikenga appealed to residents to remain calm and cooperate with emergency personnel managing the operation.

He also warned the public against spreading unverified information about the victims or the cause of the collapse, stressing that official updates would be released as further facts emerged.

Police also urged onlookers to stay away from the scene to allow rescuers unrestricted access to the collapsed building.

At the time of writing this report, rescue operations were still ongoing, with concerned relatives, students and residents gathering near the scene in the hope that more survivors would be pulled out alive.