A former hotel turned residential apartment building in Abuja, located beside the well-known Cupid Hotel on Cupid Road (Sultan Dasuki Way) in Kubwa, partially collapsed on Saturday morning, leaving several residents trapped under the debris.
The building, which previously served as the Al-Hilal Hotel and later a hospital, has been a residential space since the hospital vacated.
According to Vanguard, the incident occurred around 6:30am, and despite the prompt arrival of emergency responders and security personnel, the rescue operations were delayed due to the absence of necessary equipment.
As of 8:45am, the cranes required to move the heavy rubble had not arrived, slowing down efforts to reach those still trapped.
Two individuals were rescued and promptly transported to a nearby medical facility, while some managed to escape on their own.
An escapee, who preferred to remain anonymous, reported that she sensed danger when she heard cracking sounds around 7:00am and swiftly exited the building.
An eyewitness said that one person is still trapped under debris.
The incident comes hours after Saints Academy, a secondary school in Jos, collapsed while students were writing their third term examination.
A total of 22 victims lost their lives, while 132 sustained injuries in the collapsed school building in Jos, Plateau state capital.
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