A tragic incident unfolded on Saturday morning in Benin City, Edo State, as a storey building collapsed during a heavy downpour, trapping several students from the University of Benin (UNIBEN).
The collapse occurred on Ekhator Street, Ekosodin, a well-known area for housing students of the institution.
According to eyewitness accounts, a rescue team from the university arrived at the scene promptly and successfully pulled out some of the trapped students.
However, several victims were reported to have sustained serious injuries and were rushed to the hospital for medical attention.
One of the students who narrowly escaped the collapse, preferring to remain anonymous, told SaharaReporters about the heroic efforts of the rescue team. “The team managed to extract some of the occupants, but unfortunately, a few were severely injured. They were taken to the hospital immediately for treatment,” he said.
The student further revealed that the team is still searching for one victim believed to be trapped inside the rubble.
“We received a call from the victim trapped inside, begging for help. The rescue team is working hard to locate and save the person,” the student added.
UNIBEN’s Dean of Students is reportedly present at the scene, overseeing the rescue operations alongside the university’s emergency response unit.
However, the university management has yet to issue an official statement regarding the cause of the building collapse or provide details on the number of students affected.
As of the time of filing this report, rescue operations are ongoing, with authorities working around the clock to ensure the safety of all those involved in the incident. Further updates are expected as more details become available.