At least two persons were confirmed dead, while three others were rescued after a three-storey hostel building, known as Elite Five Star Lodge, collapsed in Amaokpala, near the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State on the night of Sunday, 26 July, 2026.
According to Punch online report, the building, which had about 60 rooms, caved in on the night Sunday, 26 July, 2026 throwing residents and passers-by into panic as an unknown number of occupants, mostly students, were trapped beneath the rubble for hours before emergency responders arrived.
Eyewitnesses said the building collapsed while occupants were inside.
One resident, Ifeoma, who witnessed the incident, told PUNCH Metro that a loud noise preceded the collapse.
“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,” she said.
Videos and photographs circulating online showed a large crowd gathered at the scene as rescue workers, security personnel and volunteers searched through the debris for trapped victims.
According to the news medium, a joint rescue team comprising the Nigerian Red Cross Society, the National Emergency Management Agency, the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency, the Anambra State Fire Service, the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies arrived at the scene in the early hours of Monday and immediately commenced rescue operations.
Using heavy-duty excavators and other specialised equipment, emergency workers carefully removed debris in a coordinated effort to locate survivors while ensuring the safety of the rescue personnel.
The atmosphere remained tense as anxious residents, students and sympathisers watched the operation, while security operatives cordoned off the area to prevent interference and allow emergency responders unrestricted access.
As of 6:55 p.m., rescue workers recovered the body of another male victim, bringing the total number of fatalities to two.
