The Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other emergency responders have confirmed that two people died and three others were rescued after a three-storey students’ hostel collapsed on Sunday night near Federal Polytechnic, Oko, in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The building, identified as Elite Five Star Lodge, reportedly contained about 60 rooms and was occupied largely by students when it suddenly gave way.

Also read: Three students rescued alive after Oko Polytechnic hostel collapse

The collapse triggered panic across the community as residents, students and passers-by rushed to the scene amid fears that more occupants could still be trapped beneath the rubble.

Witnesses described a terrifying moment before the structure failed. One resident, Ifeoma, said a loud sound alerted people moments before the building came crashing down.

“We heard a very loud noise before the building collapsed. The noise attracted many residents and students, who rushed to the area to see what had happened. Within moments after the loud noise, people started shouting for help as the building came crashing down,” Ifeoma said.

A coordinated rescue operation involving the Nigerian Red Cross Society, NEMA, SEMA, the Anambra State Fire Service, the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies began in the early hours of Monday.

Heavy-duty excavators and specialised equipment were deployed as rescue workers carefully searched the debris for survivors while ensuring the safety of emergency personnel.

Acting Executive Secretary of the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency, Ndidi Omega, confirmed that one female victim was initially recovered dead, while three injured survivors were rescued and taken to hospital for treatment.

Rescue teams later recovered the body of another male victim, bringing the confirmed death toll to two.

“One female body was recovered, while three persons were rescued and taken to the hospital. The rescue operation will continue until every section of the debris has been thoroughly searched,” Omega said.

The Head of Media and Publicity of the Anambra State Fire Service, Chukwudi Chiketa, said firefighters immediately joined other emergency agencies in the painstaking search and rescue effort after arriving at the scene.

Chukwudi Chiketa said one female victim was confirmed dead at the scene and transferred to the appropriate authorities for deposition in a morgue.

Chukwudi Chiketa added that the search remained ongoing to establish whether additional victims were trapped beneath the collapsed structure and confirmed that the cause of the incident had not yet been determined.

The spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, Superintendent Tochukwu Ikenga, said police officers secured the area immediately after receiving the distress call to prevent further danger and support rescue operations.

Superintendent Ikenga urged residents to avoid spreading unverified information and appealed for members of the public to stay away from the scene to allow emergency workers unrestricted access.

Superintendent Ikenga also confirmed that injured victims had been taken to a hospital in Oko for medical treatment.

As rescue efforts continued, NEMA sealed off the premises of the collapsed building with barricades and warning tape to protect the public and preserve the site for investigators.

Officials said the restriction would enable uninterrupted rescue operations while engineers examine the structure to determine what caused the collapse.

The Anambra Hostel Collapse has renewed concern about the safety of residential buildings in Nigeria’s university communities.

In recent years, several building failures across the country have prompted repeated calls for stricter enforcement of construction standards, routine structural inspections and stronger regulatory oversight.

Investigators are expected to assess the building’s design, construction quality and maintenance history before establishing the cause of the collapse.

Also read: Three students rescued alive after Oko Polytechnic hostel collapse

The tragedy has left students and residents in shock, while families anxiously await further updates as emergency teams continue the delicate search for anyone who may still be trapped beneath the debris.