Rescue workers raced against time on Monday as emergency operations continued at the site of the collapsed three-storey hostel building near Oko Polytechnic in Anambra State on Sunday night, where one person has been confirmed dead, and two others rescued alive.

The lifeless body of a female victim was pulled from the rubble, while two survivors were rescued and rushed to a nearby hospital for urgent medical treatment. Emergency officials fear more victims may still be trapped beneath the debris as search efforts intensify.

The scene was filled with anxiety as students, residents and sympathisers gathered, watching helplessly. At the same time, rescue teams deployed heavy-duty excavators and specialised equipment to comb through the wreckage in search of survivors.

The Rector of the institution, Dr Chioma Awuzie, visited the disaster site on Monday alongside top management officials to assess the situation. She also clarified that the collapsed structure was a private hostel facility and that no student of the institution was involved, as students are currently on vacation. At the same time, representatives of the Anambra State Government joined emergency responders coordinating the rescue mission.

Officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) have since sealed off the collapsed building to prevent further danger and allow rescue teams unrestricted access to the site.

Security operatives also cordoned off the area as emergency workers painstakingly removed debris, ensuring both the safety of rescue personnel and the possibility of locating anyone still trapped.

Confirming the development, the Acting Executive Secretary of the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Ndidi Omega, said one female victim had been recovered dead from the rubble, while another victim, believed to be a young man, was still trapped beneath the collapsed structure.

She disclosed that the rescued victims were receiving treatment at a nearby hospital, adding that rescue operations would continue until every part of the debris had been thoroughly searched.

Authorities also appealed to members of the public to disregard unverified reports circulating online, assuring that official updates would be released as the rescue operation progresses.