Students Trapped As Three-storey Hostel Collapses Near Federal Polytechnic Oko
A three-storey hostel near the Federal Polytechnic Oko has collapsed, sparking panic as rescue teams race against time to search for students and other occupants feared trapped beneath the rubble.
A three-storey hostel occupied by students of Federal Polytechnic Oko has crumbled in Oko, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, leaving an undetermined number of occupants feared trapped beneath the wreckage.
The building, identified as Elite Five Star Lodge, reportedly collapsed late Sunday night in the Amokpala area of Oko, near Tonimas Filling Station, sending residents and students into panic as pleas for help echoed from within the debris.
Rescue efforts began shortly after the incident, with personnel from the Anambra State Police Command, the Anambra State Fire Service, the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), and other emergency responders arriving at the scene to search for survivors.
A number of occupants have been pulled alive from the collapsed structure and taken to nearby medical facilities for treatment, while rescue teams continue combing through the rubble in search of others who may still be trapped.
Officials have not disclosed the number of casualties or missing persons, noting that the figures remain unclear as the rescue operation continues.
Police spokesperson SP Tochukwu Ikenga confirmed the incident, stating that security operatives quickly cordoned off the area and are working alongside emergency agencies to support the ongoing operation.
He appealed to members of the public to avoid the scene, cooperate with emergency personnel, and refrain from circulating unverified reports, assuring that further updates would be released as more information is confirmed.
