A section of a two-storey residential apartment collapsed in Abuja on Saturday morning, leaving several people trapped in the rubble.
The building, located beside the popular Cupid Hotel on Cupid Road (Sultan Dasuki Way) in Kubwa, has a history of different uses.
Formerly known as the Al-Hilal hotel, it later functioned as a hospital before becoming a residential apartment after the hospital owners vacated the premises.
Emergency responders and security personnel were quickly on the scene, but rescue efforts were initially hampered due to the absence of cranes needed for the operation.
As of 8:45 a.m., nearly two hours after the incident, the necessary equipment had yet to arrive.
Despite the challenges, two individuals were rushed to a nearby hospital, and a few others managed to escape on their own.
One of the escapees, who wished to remain anonymous, recounted her experience: “When I woke up around 7 a.m. and came out of the house, I began hearing some cracks and then ran out.”
Rescue operations are ongoing, and authorities are working diligently to free those still trapped under the debris. The extent of the damage and the number of casualties are yet to be determined.
Details later…
