VIDEO: Hospital building collapses after landslide in Nigeria’s Calabar

A hospital building in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria, has collapsed following a landslide triggered by hours of heavy rainfall and severe soil erosion.

The affected facility, identified as UNICEM Hospital, reportedly gave way on Thursday after torrential rain saturated the ground and destabilised the hillside on which the structure was built. The incident has raised concerns over the risks posed by building on erosion-prone slopes, particularly during periods of intense rainfall.

Heavy downpours can weaken soil by increasing its water content, reducing its stability and causing large sections of earth to shift. In this case, the movement of the hillside is believed to have undermined the foundation of the hospital building, eventually causing the structure to collapse.

The extent of damage to the hospital and whether there were casualties was not immediately clear. Authorities and emergency officials are expected to assess the site, determine the cause of the collapse and establish whether surrounding buildings are also at risk. 

The incident comes as parts of southern Nigeria continue to experience heavy seasonal rainfall, which has contributed to flooding, erosion and landslides in vulnerable areas.

The collapse has also renewed calls for stricter enforcement of building regulations, proper drainage systems and detailed geological assessments before construction on steep or unstable terrain.