Anambra hostel collapse leaves two de@d, three rescued

Two people have been confirmed dead, while three others have been rescued after a three-storey student hostel, identified as Elite Five Star Lodge, collapsed near the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The building, which reportedly contains about 60 rooms, collapsed on Sunday night while occupants, most of them students, were inside.

Eyewitnesses said a loud sound was heard moments before the structure gave way, prompting residents and students to rush to the scene.

“We heard a very loud noise before the building collapsed. The noise attracted many residents and students, who rushed to the area to see what had happened.

“Within moments after the loud noise, people started shouting for help as the building came crashing down,” a resident, Ifeoma, said.

Rescue operations began in the early hours of Monday, with officials from the Nigerian Red Cross Society, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the Anambra State Fire Service, the Nigeria Police Force, and other security agencies working together to search the rubble.

Heavy-duty excavators and specialized equipment were deployed to locate survivors while ensuring the safety of rescue workers.

The Acting Executive Secretary of the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency, Ndidi Omega, initially confirmed that one female victim had been recovered dead while three injured persons were rescued alive and taken to hospital.

“One female body was recovered, while three persons were rescued and taken to the hospital. The rescue operation will continue until every section of the debris has been thoroughly searched,” Omega said.

Rescue workers later recovered the body of another male victim, bringing the death toll to two.

The Head of Media and Publicity of the Anambra State Fire Service, Chukwudi Chiketa, said firefighters immediately joined other emergency responders upon arriving at the scene.

“Upon arrival at the scene, fire service personnel immediately commenced search and rescue operations in collaboration with other emergency responders.

“Regrettably, one female victim was recovered from the rubble. She was confirmed dead at the scene, and her body was evacuated and handed over to the appropriate authorities for deposition in a morgue.

“Search and rescue operations are still ongoing to determine whether any other persons remain trapped beneath the debris.

“The cause of the building collapse is yet to be determined and remains under investigation,” Chiketa said.

He appealed to members of the public to stay away from the area to allow emergency personnel carry out rescue operations without obstruction.

Also confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, Tochukwu Ikenga, said officers quickly secured the scene after receiving a distress call and coordinated rescue efforts alongside other agencies.

“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.

“Some injured victims have been rescued from the debris and taken to a hospital in Oko, where they are receiving treatment.

“Residents are advised to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information and stay away from the scene to allow emergency responders unrestricted access,” he said.