Editor: Ezinwanne Okwuolisa
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
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 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.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Chijioke Ojukwu, said preliminary findings suggested the building had shown signs of structural failure before the collapse.
Mr 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.
