Rescue officials have recovered the body of a female victim believed to be a student in the collapsed three-storey school hostel in Amokpala, Oko, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The officials also confirmed that the body of a young man, said to be a student, has been located beneath the rubble but had yet to be retrieved as the painstaking search operation continues.
The building, which collapsed late Sunday night, is believed to have housed several students and other occupants.
DAILY POST reports that a combined rescue team comprising the Nigerian Red Cross Society, National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Anambra State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, Anambra State Fire Service, the Nigeria Police Force, other security agencies and operatives of the Operation Udo Ga-Achi security outfit have remained at the site.
At the time of filing this report, emergency workers, using heavy-duty excavators and other rescue equipment, are carefully removing debris in a coordinated effort to locate anyone who may still be trapped while ensuring the safety of rescue personnel.
Anxious residents, students and sympathisers were said to watching the operation with growing concern as the atmosphere at the scene remained tense.
Similarly, security personnel have barricaded the area to prevent interference and ensure emergency rescue teams have unrestricted access, while officials continue to account for all occupants of the collapsed structure.
Acting Executive Secretary of SEMA, Mrs Ndidi Omega, who confirmed the death of the lady and the body of the young man still trapped, said three injured persons had been taken to the hospital earlier.
According to her, the rescue operation would continue until every section of the debris has been thoroughly searched.
Meanwhile, police authorities also appealed to residents to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information, and allow emergency teams to carry out their work without obstruction, assuring that further updates would be provided as more information becomes available.
