Heavy rain triggers landslide, damages parts of UNICEM Hospital in Calabar.

Panic In Calabar As Landslide Damages UNICEM Hospital After Heavy Rain
Calabar residents watched in horror on Thursday as tons of earth crashed into UNICEM Hospital, damaging parts of the building after a landslide triggered by hours of torrential rain.

The landslide sent a hillside sliding into the hospital complex in Calabar, Cross River State, leaving rubble, twisted rods and widespread panic in its wake.
The incident occurred on Thursday, August 13. Videos shared on X by Calabar-based pharmacist Mekzy showed a massive volume of earth surging into the hospital before sections of the structure gave way. Residents filmed the incident from a safe distance as concrete collapsed and debris spread across the hospital compound.
Mekzy attributed the incident to the landslide caused by the heavy downpour.
As of Friday morning, there was no official confirmation of casualties from the Cross River State Government or emergency agencies. Witnesses said the collapse caused panic in the area, while authorities had yet to confirm whether anyone was trapped or injured.
The incident has also renewed long-standing concerns over the impact of the rainy season in Calabar, particularly landslides, flooding and erosion.
Experts and residents have continued to raise concerns over development on unstable slopes, inadequate drainage, weak enforcement of building regulations and the lack of proper geotechnical assessments before construction.
With changing climate patterns contributing to heavier rainfall, calls are increasing for stricter building controls in areas vulnerable to erosion and landslides.
As of press time, neither the Cross River State Government nor emergency management agencies had issued a detailed statement on the UNICEM Hospital incident.
Rescue and assessment teams were reportedly at the scene, while the full extent of the damage and the risk posed to nearby structures were still being evaluated.
For now, Calabar residents are left to assess the damage and raise concerns over the possibility of another landslide in the affected area.