A sad tragedy occurred in Abuja on Saturday morning when a two-story residential building collapsed, trapping an unknown number of individuals beneath the wreckage.
The structure, located adjacent to the famed Cupid Hotel on Cupid Road (Sultan Dasuki Way) in Kubwa, has a complicated history, having formerly operated as Al-Hilal Hotel and then as a hospital before being transformed into residential apartments.
Emergency services and security officers rushed to the site. However, rescue attempts were delayed at first owing to a shortage of critical equipment, notably cranes, which did not arrive at the site until over two hours after the collapse.
Despite these challenges, some progress was made in the rescue operation. Two individuals were successfully extracted from the debris and transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. Additionally, several residents managed to escape the building on their own.
One survivor, who wished to remain anonymous, shared her harrowing experience. She recounted waking up around 7 a.m. and hearing ominous cracking sounds as she stepped outside, prompting her to flee the building immediately.
