Esther Salifu
A storey building on Ekhator Street, Benin, Edo State, collapsed on Saturday morning, trapping University of Benin students during a heavy downpour.
Ekosodin, where the incident occurred, is a hub for students due to its proximity to the university.
“Panic and chaos erupted as the building collapsed during the early morning downpour. We’re doing everything possible to rescue those trapped,” said Sylvester, an official at the State Fire Service.
“We managed to evacuate some of the trapped occupants, but several were severely injured,” a student at the scene revealed, requesting anonymity. “The injured victims were rushed to the hospital for medical treatment.
“Rescue efforts are ongoing, with the university’s Dean of Student Affairs coordinating efforts alongside the university team. The State Fire Service has deployed three trucks to assist in the rescue.
“One of the trapped victims called from inside, and the rescue team is working tirelessly to locate and rescue her and others still trapped,” the student added.
The university management has yet to release an official statement on the cause of the collapse or the total number of individuals affected. As rescue operations continue, concerns grow about the structural integrity of buildings in the area and the potential risks to students.
“We urge the authorities to ensure that buildings are safe and compliant with regulations to prevent such incidents,” a concerned student pleaded.
