Many Feared Trapped As 3-Storey Student Hostel Collapses In Anambra

A three-storey student hostel identified as Elite Five Star Lodge has collapsed in Oko, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, trapping an unspecified number of occupants beneath the rubble.

The building, located beside Tonimas Filling Station in Amokpala, reportedly caved in during the early hours of Monday, triggering panic among residents and students in the area.

Witnesses said many of those trapped were believed to be students who were inside the hostel when the structure suddenly gave way.

According to The PUNCH Online, an eyewitness, who identified herself simply as Ifeoma, said residents were jolted awake by a loud sound moments before the building collapsed.

“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,” she said.

“Within moments after the loud noise from the building, the occupants inside started shouting for help as the building fell.”

Videos and photographs circulating on social media showed emergency responders, security personnel and volunteers combing through the debris in a desperate search for survivors as anxious residents gathered at the scene.

Emergency officials from the Anambra State Fire Service, the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and other rescue agencies were mobilised to the site to assist in the ongoing operation.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said a police-led Joint Security Team immediately responded after receiving a distress call about the late-night collapse.

“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,” Ikenga said.

He explained that police officers, working alongside other security agencies, secured the area to prevent further danger and coordinated rescue efforts, while the State Fire Service and SEMA joined the operation.

According to the police spokesman, some occupants sustained injuries and have been rescued from the rubble and taken to a hospital in Oko, where they are receiving treatment.

He, however, noted that rescue efforts were still ongoing to reach others who might remain trapped, adding that authorities were yet to ascertain the exact number of casualties or affected persons.

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Ikenga urged residents to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information and stay away from the scene to allow emergency workers unhindered access.

He added that further updates would be provided as more verified information becomes available.