Panic erupted in Oko, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, on Sunday night after a multi-storey student hostel collapsed, with an unspecified number of occupants feared trapped beneath the debris.

Residents said the building suddenly caved in after a loud sound was heard, sending students and other members of the community into panic as they rushed to the scene.

An eyewitness said cries for help filled the area moments after the structure collapsed, prompting residents and passersby to begin rescue efforts before the arrival of emergency responders.

Videos and photographs circulating on social media showed scores of people gathered around the site, while volunteers joined emergency personnel in clearing rubble in search of survivors.

As of the time of filing this report, authorities had yet to confirm the number of casualties or determine how many people remained trapped in the collapsed building.

The cause of the incident had also not been established, while rescue operations continued at the scene.

Emergency officials are expected to provide further updates as search efforts progress and investigations into the cause of the collapse commence.