Death toll hits 8 as 26 survivors pulled from Lagos building collapse
SIXTEEN additional survivors have been rescued from the site of a collapsed building in Lagos State, increasing the total number of people pulled out alive to 26 as emergency workers continue efforts to reach anyone still trapped beneath the debris.
However, 8 people have so far been confirmed dead, according to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency’s statement issued by its Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu.
The incident occurred at Old Ojo Road near Alakija Bus Stop, off the Lagos-Badagry Expressway in Satellite Town. Rescue teams remain on the ground carrying out a coordinated operation involving several emergency and security agencies.
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“As of 4:20 p.m., a total of 26 persons have been rescued alive, while 8 fatalities have been recorded, including a baby girl,” said Oke-Osanyintolu.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service said it received an emergency alert at 11:37 a.m. on Thursday and immediately dispatched personnel from the Ijegun-Egba Fire Station. Responders arrived at the location at 11:49 a.m. to commence rescue efforts.
Controller General of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Ms Margaret Adeseye, said the collapsed structure was a residential building occupied by multiple residents when it gave way.
Earlier updates from the agency indicated that 10 people were rescued alive and transferred to medical personnel for treatment. Rescue teams later recovered 16 more survivors from the rubble, bringing the total number rescued to 26.
Adeseye said search-and-rescue operations were still underway, with emergency workers focused on locating, extricating and evacuating any victims who might remain trapped under the collapsed structure.
Agencies participating in the operation include the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Federal Fire Service, Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Navy, Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC) and the Nigerian Red Cross Society.
Witnesses said the structure was a 3-storey building that collapsed at about 11:40 a.m., prompting fears that several occupants were trapped beneath the rubble. Authorities have not yet established the total number of people affected by the incident.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service said further updates would be released as rescue efforts continue at the scene.
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Yakubu Ibrahim
Analyst
Abuja, Nigeria
Yakubu Ibrahim is an analyst who writes stories bordering on corruption, politics, and business. He has won four journalism awards and worked in two media organisations.
