The student community at Ekosodin, Benin, Edo State, was thrown into panic on Saturday morning when a storey building collapsed during the early morning downpour on Saturday.
Ekosodin is a community located behind the University of Benin (UNIBEN), where thousands of the students reside.
It was gathered that some of the students have been rescued while unidentified number are still trapped inside the building, as rescue operation continues.
One of the students at the scene, who pleaded anonymity, said that several victims who were helped by the University’s rescue team were severely injured.
He stated that the injured victims were rushed to the hospital for medical treatment.
“The rescue team is still searching for other students.
“One of the victim 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 Students of the University is said to be on the scene, coordinating rescue efforts alongside the university team.
At the time of filing this reporting, UNIBEN management was yet to release an official statement regarding the cause of the collapse or the total number of individuals affected by the incident.
An official in the control room of the State Fire Service, who identified himself simply as Sylvester, told journalists that three of their trucks were sent there to assist in the rescue.
“Our men are on ground to help in the rescue mission,” he added.