The student community at Ekosodin, Edo State was thrown into panic on Saturday morning when a storey building on Ekhator Street, Benin, the state capital, collapsed during the early morning downpour in the state.
Ekosodin borders the University of Benin and has a huge student population as those who cannot get accommodation in the school opt to live in the area.
PUNCH Online gathered that some of the trapped students have been rescued while the search for others continue.
One of the students at the scene, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that a university rescue team managed to evacuate some of the trapped occupants, though several were severely injured.
He stated that the injured victims were rushed to the hospital for medical treatment.
“The rescue team is still searching for one of the victims who remains trapped inside the rubble, called from inside and the rescue team has continued its search to locate and rescue her and others who are still trapped,” the student said.
The Dean of Student Affairs is said to be on the scene, coordinating rescue efforts alongside the university team.
As of the time of this report, the university management has yet to release an official statement regarding the cause of the collapse or the total number of individuals affected by the incident.
When PUNCH Online contacted the State Fire Service, an official in the control room, who identified himself as Sylvester, said that three of its trucks were there to assist in the rescue.
“Our men are on ground to help in the rescue mission,” he added.
