A storey building collapsed during a heavy downpour on Saturday morning in Benin City, Edo State, trapping several students from the University of Benin (UNIBEN). The incident took place on Ekhator Street, Ekosodin, a well-known area where many students reside.
Eyewitnesses reported that the collapse occurred suddenly, leaving several occupants of the building trapped under the rubble. Rescue teams, including a university response unit, arrived at the scene quickly to help free the trapped students. One student, who requested to remain anonymous, confirmed that some of the trapped victims were rescued but several had suffered serious injuries.
“The rescue team managed to pull out some of the students, but a few of them were severely injured. They were immediately taken to the hospital for treatment,” the student told reporters. He also mentioned that one victim remained trapped in the debris. “We heard the victim calling for help from inside the collapsed building, and efforts are still ongoing to rescue them,” he added.
The Dean of Students from UNIBEN was seen at the site of the collapse, actively coordinating the rescue operations alongside the university’s response team. Authorities continue to search for survivors, with hopes of saving the remaining trapped individual.
At the time of this report, the university management had not yet released an official statement explaining the cause of the collapse or the total number of people affected. However, rescue efforts are still in progress as emergency workers continue to clear the rubble and provide aid to the injured.