At the close of today’s rescue operation, two persons have been confirmed dead, while three others sustained injuries
By Moses Okorrie
Two persons have been confirmed dead, while three others sustained injuries following the collapse of a three-storey building in Amaokpala, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, as emergency responders continue search and rescue operations.
The Acting Executive Secretary of the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Ms. Ndidi Omega, confirmed the casualty figures in Awka on Monday after the day’s rescue efforts.
The collapsed building, located in the Oko Community, reportedly served as an off-campus hostel for students of the Federal Polytechnic Oko and other residents.
Omega disclosed that the injured victims were receiving treatment at a hospital, adding that rescue operations would resume on Tuesday to ensure no one remained trapped beneath the rubble.
“At the close of today’s rescue operation, two persons have been confirmed dead, while three others sustained injuries. The search and rescue exercise will continue tomorrow,” she said.
In a related development, the Anambra State Government has sealed off the collapsed building and launched a manhunt for the property’s owner and manager as part of efforts to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Chijioke Ojukwu, said preliminary investigations revealed visible structural defects in the building that were allegedly ignored by the owner despite warning signs of possible failure.
According to him, financial considerations appeared to have been placed above the safety and welfare of the occupants.
Ojukwu announced that the state government would immediately begin structural integrity assessments of buildings within the area to prevent similar incidents.
He added that the collapsed building would remain under seal until investigations are concluded, stressing that anyone found culpable would be held accountable.
The commissioner further disclosed that the Anambra State Government would soon issue an official policy statement outlining additional measures to strengthen building safety and regulatory compliance across the state.