Photos: Woman, Corps Member Rescued from Collapsed Building in Abuja

A woman and a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member have been rescued alive from the rubble of a collapsed building in Kubwa, Abuja. The two-storey building, formerly known as Halal Hotel and later converted to a residential apartment with about 45 self-contained rooms, collapsed around 6 am on Saturday.

The last rescued victim, an NYSC member, was brought out unconscious by a team of rescuers from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), FCT Emergency Management Department (FEMD), FCT Fire Service, Federal Road Safety Corps, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, and the Nigeria Police Force. The victim was rushed to Kubwa General Hospital for medical attention.

Two other victims, Abdullahi Masud and his female guest, had already escaped and were taken to the hospital before the collapse. Masud recounted noticing a cracked wall and hearing unusual sounds from the building before it gave way. He managed to escape, albeit naked, while others followed suit, leaving only one woman trapped at the time.

The acting Director General of FEMD, Mrs. Florence Dawon Wenegieme, stated that the search and rescue operation would continue until all areas were thoroughly checked and cleared.

Witnesses reported that about 15 residents managed to flee the building before its collapse. Authorities are investigating the cause of the incident to prevent future occurrences.