Three dead, two rescued from collapsed building in Lagos

Etim Ekpimah

Three persons have been confirmed dead and two rescued alive from the collapsed building located at Akanbi Crescent, Yaba area of Lagos State.

It was learnt that a section of the building which was still under construction collapsed onto another building beside it last year.

While the cause of the collapse has not yet been known, an eyewitness who spoke with the media said a part of the building collapsed last year.

According to her, the construction went ahead despite the collapse as no appropriate authorities weighed into the matter.

Before the update of the casualty figures by Head, Public Affairs, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Nosa Ekunbor, the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, had confirmed the collapse of the structure.

He had said: “Upon arrival at the incident scene, a 3-storey building under construction was discovered to have collapsed.

“Further investigation revealed that the construction workers were on site when the structure came down.

“With quick deployment of the agency’s heavy-duty equipment, one adult male has been successfully pulled out of the rubble.

“The Hon. Comm. Min. of Special Duties & IGR, Engr. Bamgbose Martins, Hon Comm Physical Planning, Tpl Salako, LASAMBUS, LASEMA LRT alongside its Paramedics, the Nigerian Police and LASG FIRE, LASG TASKFORCE are presently on the ground at the incident site.”

He added that recovery operation was ongoing for other victims.

The latest collapse comes a few months after a 21-storey building collapsed at the Ikoyi area of the state. As of the last count by the Lagos state government, a total of 46 deaths were confirmed from the incident.