Calabar Tragedy: Landslide Claims Four Siblings from One Family

A catastrophic landslide, resulting from relentless torrential rainfall, has claimed the lives of five individuals in the Ikot Awatim Community, located in Ikot Ansa, Calabar Municipality Local Government Area of Cross River State. Among the victims were four siblings from the same family. The tragic event unfolded on the night of Friday, July 10, 2026, following hours of heavy downpour that has continued to batter Calabar, leading to widespread flooding and significant property damage across various parts of the city.

Residents of the community were plunged into shock and grief as local youths mounted desperate search and rescue operations throughout the night. Their efforts, however, only led to the recovery of the lifeless bodies of the victims from the debris. The deceased siblings were identified as Bright Kingsley Edu, 18; Godswill Kingsley Edu, 12; Daniel Kingsley Edu, 11; and Richard Kingsley Edu, 10 – all children of Mr. and Mrs. Kingsley Etim Edu. A fifth victim, simply identified as Mr. Udo, a suspected tanker driver connected to a nearby fuel depot, also perished in the disaster.

According to accounts from residents, the children's mother was attending a church service when the rains commenced. Out of concern for the worsening weather, the children reportedly left the church earlier than their mother to return home. Their father, who serves as a Homeland Security personnel, was away on official duty at the time. Speaking to Cross River Watch at the scene on Saturday, July 11, Mrs. Mercy Kingsley Edu, popularly known as Mama Uwana, expressed her profound devastation, struggling to comprehend the unimaginable loss.

She recounted that the children had arrived home, changed into dry clothes, and were resting on their bed, completely unaware of the impending disaster. Mrs. Edu tearfully explained that the collapsing earth engulfed their home, trapping the children beneath the rubble. She lamented that the family's entire possessions were swallowed by the landslide. “Everything was buried in the landslide, taking my children and leaving us hopeless and homeless,” she cried. Overcome with grief, she repeatedly questioned the cruel fate that befell her family: "Why me? Why me? Four out of seven gone in one day. At least it should have been an accident that claimed their legs, not four children buried in one day. Where will I start? My husband never buys anything for himself because he wants his children to go to school. Three boys and a girl… all gone.”

Her husband, Mr. Kingsley Edu, was too distraught to speak as sympathizers gathered to console the bereaved family. The four siblings were laid to rest shortly after their bodies were recovered, while Mr. Udo's remains were transferred to a mortuary. The tragic incident has cast a pall of mourning over the Ikot Awatim Community, with residents and sympathizers flocking to the scene to offer condolences and witness the extent of the devastation. Community members have since appealed to the Cross River State Government, led by Governor Bassey Edet Otu, and other well-meaning Cross Riverians to provide assistance to the affected family, who have not only lost four children but are also now homeless due to their dwelling being destroyed by the landslide.