Two people have been confirmed dead and three others injured after a three-storey building used as an off-campus hostel for students of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, collapsed in Amaokpala, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Rescue officials said search operations would continue as authorities fear more victims could still be trapped beneath the rubble.
The Acting Executive Secretary of the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mrs. Ndidi Omega, disclosed the casualty figure on Monday after emergency responders concluded the day’s rescue exercise.
“The rescue operation will continue tomorrow, but at the end of today’s activity, two persons are confirmed dead and three injured,” Omega said.
She added that the injured victims had been rescued from the debris and were receiving treatment at a medical facility.
The collapsed building, located in Oko community, reportedly served as a residential hostel for students of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, as well as other tenants.
Meanwhile, the Anambra State Government has sealed off the premises and launched an investigation into the incident, with officials commencing efforts to trace the owner and manager of the property.
Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Chijioke Ojukwu, said preliminary findings suggested the building had shown signs of structural failure before the collapse.
According to him, available evidence indicated that structural alterations were being carried out on the building despite visible warning signs, alleging that the owner prioritised financial gain over the safety of occupants.
Ojukwu announced that the government would begin structural integrity tests on surrounding buildings in the area to prevent similar incidents.
He added that the collapsed property would remain sealed pending the conclusion of investigations, assuring that the state government would soon announce its official position on the tragedy.
Emergency responders are expected to resume search-and-rescue operations as authorities work to determine whether more victims remain trapped beneath the debris.
