A mudslide occurred at the foot of Obudu Mountain Resort which is preparing to host the world mountain race community in few weeks’ time.
Over 15 persons are said to still be trapped in the mud while excavators provided by the Central China Engineering and Construction Company, CCECC, are trying the clear the mud to create an alternative route.
A timber trader and eyewitness of the incident, Mr. Augustine Akomaye told CrossRiverWatch that “A group of tourists from the Federal Capital who were caught in the mudslide could no longer go up the mountain and were scared of using the cable car. They had to be airlifted by Air Force helicopter to the heights.
The Cross River State government has also deployed a rescue team comprising personnel from NEMA, SEMA and the Nigerian Air Force to evacuate guests at the mountain top and villagers around the vicinity of the mudslide.
Sources at the Air force headquarters in Calabar, revealed that the Chief of Air Staff this morning directed the deployment of, Nigerian Air Force, Augusta 109 from 305 Flying Training School Enugu, Super Puma, and MI 24 helicopters from the base to join the evacuation exercise to speed up the rescue process.
It is expected that all stranded persons will be successfully evacuated by the end of today.
The Cross River State government has however assured the general public that the Obudu Mountain Resort despite today’s natural disaster remains a safe environment to regular and intending tourists as well as tourists that will be coming for the International Mountain Race.
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