Scene of the the collapse hostel building at Federal Polytechnic Oko, Anambra State
Rescue teams have pulled three students alive from the rubble of a collapsed three-storey hostel near the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, in Anambra State, as emergency responders continue efforts to locate others believed to be trapped.
The building, a privately owned students’ hostel, reportedly caved in at about 11:00 p.m. on Sunday, throwing the community into panic.
The rescued students were immediately taken to St. Michael Hospital, Oko, where they are receiving medical treatment.
As of the time of filing this report, authorities had not confirmed the number of casualties or the total number of people trapped beneath the debris.
The hostel is said to be largely occupied by students of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko. However, the institution was reportedly not in full academic session when the incident occurred, a development believed to have reduced the number of occupants in the building.
Eyewitnesses said several students escaped before the structure completely collapsed, while others are feared to have been trapped under the wreckage.
Emergency response teams, including operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, officials of the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), and personnel of the Fire Service, were deployed to the scene shortly after the incident.
Rescue operations were still ongoing at the time of this report, with heavy equipment and emergency workers combing through the debris in search of possible survivors.
Authorities have also commenced preliminary investigations to determine the cause of the building collapse.
Residents and concerned members of the community gathered around the scene, anxiously awaiting updates as rescue efforts continued. Officials have urged the public to remain calm and allow emergency personnel unhindered access to the site.
