A three-storey student hostel collapsed late Sunday night in Oko, Anambra State, leaving an unconfirmed number of students trapped beneath the rubble.
The building, known as Elite Five Star Lodge, is located beside Tonimas Filling Station in the Amokpala area of Oko and houses students of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko. Witnesses said they heard a loud bang before the structure suddenly gave way.
The Anambra State Police Command confirmed the incident on Monday, saying a joint emergency rescue operation was launched immediately after a distress call was received.
Police spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said officers secured the area while working with the Anambra State Fire Service and the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to rescue those trapped.
Emergency responders, supported by local volunteers, searched through the debris overnight using available equipment to locate survivors.
Several injured victims have been pulled from the wreckage and taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Authorities, however, said the number of casualties has yet to be determined as rescue efforts continue.
The police urged students and residents to stay away from the scene to allow emergency workers and heavy equipment unrestricted access to the site.
