3 Dead, 9 Rescued as Building Collapses in Lagos

A two-storey building in the Ota-Ona area of Ikorodu, Lagos State, collapsed on Tuesday, killing atleast three person and leaving several others trapped under the rubble. 

Authorities confirmed that out of the 14 occupants inside the building at the time of the incident, 10 have been rescued alive while three remain unaccounted for.

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed the fatality during ongoing rescue efforts. 

According to the agency, one of the four individuals initially declared missing was recovered dead, as emergency teams continue searching for the remaining victims.

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, in an official statement, revealed that the affected structure was an uncompleted two-storey building located behind a bungalow on a plot of about 648 square metres. 

The agency noted that all 14 individuals were inside the building when it suddenly gave way.

Margaret Adeseye, Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, through the agency’s spokesperson Amodu Shakiru, stated that rescue operations were in full swing. 

“Ten adult males between the ages of 28 and 35 have been rescued and taken to the hospital for medical attention,” the statement added.

Multiple agencies have been involved in the emergency response, including the Lagos State Building Control Agency, Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Police Force, and the Federal Road Safety Corps. 

These teams are working in coordination under LASEMA’s leadership to locate and rescue any remaining survivors.

Social media reports helped bring early attention to the incident. 

A Facebook user, Rasheed Fatuga, had posted that the collapse occurred directly opposite the Mobil Filling Station in the Ota-Ona area.

This tragedy comes on the heels of a similar incident just last month when a three-storey building in the Ojodu Berger area of Lagos collapsed, claiming five lives. 

The building was said to be under construction and housed a popular restaurant at the time it fell, trapping multiple people.

The cause of the latest collapse remains unknown, as investigations continue.