DISASTER: At Least 9 Buried Alive in Calabar Landslide

At least nine people died and many more received injuries in a landslide at Edim Otop community in the Calabar metropolis on September 4, 2013, Wednesday. The Information Director of Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), David Akate, revealed these sad facts the capital of the state, Calabar, on September 5, 2013, Thursday. The disaster happened due to heavy rains which lasted for more than five hours. The official noted that Cross River Government issued a warning to residents of flood-prone communities and recommended them to leave dangerous areas. “We have been telling them that the place is not only a ravine but a flood-prone area, but they refused to take our advice,” he said. David Akate assured the State Government had taken responsibility for the treatment of the survivors, whom he said, were responding to treatment. The SEMA official also added that the corpses of the deceased have been deposited at the state General Hospital mortuary. A witness, Eno Akpan, said: “we were just sitting outside discussing about the down pour when suddenly we saw trees rolling down from the top of the hill. “Within a twinkle of an eye, it collapsed on the building and buried the entire occupants. “Well, at that time there was nothing we could do because everybody started running away in confusion, and we were hearing cries and shouts of some of children from within from the house. “But by the time help could come, the family was gone and only three were rescued,” she said. (NAN)