In a tragic incident that unfolded on Wednesday night, a two-story building in the densely populated Garki district of Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, collapsed during a heavy downpour. As rescue crews continue their frantic search for survivors, emergency officials have confirmed that two lives have been lost, while there are fears that many others remain trapped beneath the rubble.
The ill-fated building, which served as a combination of a shopping center and a residential block, crumbled under the weight of the rain-soaked structure. Eyewitnesses reported that some of those currently trapped are believed to be shoppers who were caught in the disaster.
Nkechi Isa, the spokesperson for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in the city, revealed that their ongoing efforts have resulted in the successful rescue of 37 individuals from the debris. Determined to leave no stone unturned, she emphasized that the rescue operations would persist until every corner of the rubble has been meticulously searched.
To expedite the search and rescue mission, crews have been employing heavy machinery, including excavators and bulldozers, to clear away the debris. The heart-wrenching scene has attracted a large crowd of concerned onlookers who have gathered on the street where the building once stood. Their spirits were momentarily lifted as rescue teams managed to pull survivors from the wreckage, prompting cheers and applause.
Among those who miraculously escaped the catastrophe was Samuel Japhet. He narrowly avoided the collapse after entering the building to make a purchase. “We bought the drinks and left, it was not up to 30 minutes and it happened,” recounted Mr. Japhet. “People were there, all these places, people live here.”
This heartrending incident comes in the wake of another tragedy earlier in August, when a mosque collapsed in the northwestern Kaduna state, claiming the lives of seven individuals. The recent spate of structural collapses underscores the urgent need for stringent safety measures and building inspections across Nigeria to prevent such devastating occurrences in the future.
