A three-storey building serving as a student hostel, identified as Elite Five Star Lodge, has collapsed in Amokpala, Oko, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, trapping an unknown number of occupants beneath the rubble and triggering a large-scale rescue operation by emergency responders.
The building, located beside Tonimas Filling Station, reportedly collapsed in the early hours of Monday while students were believed to be inside. The incident sent shockwaves through the community, with residents, students and passers-by rushing to the scene after hearing a loud crashing sound. Although the exact number of casualties and those trapped had yet to be confirmed at the time of filing this report, several occupants were feared to be buried under the debris.
An eyewitness, who identified herself simply as Ifeoma, recounted that the collapse was preceded by a loud noise that drew the attention of nearby residents. She said moments after the noise, the building gave way and trapped those inside. According to her, desperate cries for help could be heard from beneath the rubble as frightened residents mobilised to assist before emergency responders arrived.
Videos and photographs circulating on social media showed a massive crowd gathered at the scene while rescue workers, security personnel and volunteers combed through the collapsed structure in search of survivors. Officials of the Anambra State Fire Service, the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (ANSEMA), the police and other emergency agencies were seen coordinating efforts to rescue victims and secure the area.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the Police-led Joint Security Team responded immediately after receiving a distress report. He explained that officers, working alongside other security agencies, cordoned off the scene to prevent further danger and coordinated rescue operations with emergency responders.
Ikenga said the Anambra State Fire Service and ANSEMA promptly joined the operation, while search efforts remained ongoing to locate other persons who might still be trapped beneath the rubble. He added that some injured victims had already been rescued and evacuated to a hospital in Oko, where they were receiving medical treatment.
The police spokesperson urged residents to remain calm and allow emergency personnel to carry out their duties without obstruction. He noted that authorities were yet to determine the number of casualties or the total number of people affected, stressing that updates would be provided as rescue operations and investigations continue.
The cause of the building collapse had not been established as of the time of this report. Authorities are expected to launch a comprehensive investigation into the incident to determine the circumstances surrounding the collapse and whether any structural or regulatory failures contributed to the disaster.
