Tragedy struck on Monday in the nation’s capital, Abuja, as a four-storey hotel building collapsed in Dape area of Life Camp trapping about 20 persons inside the ruble.
According to eyewitnesses, the building, which has an underground facility, was owned by one of the top people in the hotel business in the territory.
It was said to be under construction as of the time of the collapse.
Rescue efforts commenced immediately in earnest as security forces and other emergency responders have reportedly mobilised to rescue the trapped victims, witnesses said.
Information gathered indicate that the hotel is owned by Summit Villa Hotel Services.
A source said the collapse happened around 4.00pm on Monday, while construction workers were carrying out their work.
The building, which was intended for hotel accommodation, it was learned, gave way unexpectedly, trapping several workers who were on site at the time of the collapse.
He explained that the building collapsed during the casting work, shortly after the engineer had left the site.
According to the eyewitness account, the collapsed building which is located in the swampy area of Dape near Berger Clinic was attributed to the use of substandard materials.
Officials from FCT Fire Service, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and the Nigeria Police Force (NPA) were making relentless efforts to rescue the remaining trapped victims as at the time of filling this report.
