A 7-storey building under construction in the Lekki area of Lagos was said to have collapsed on Sunday morning with 2 people already confirmed dead, while several others are still trapped in the debris.
Channels Television reported that the said building which caved in and collapsed is situated at Oba Idowu Oniru Street by Ave Maria Hospital, near Sandfield Bus Stop, Lekki, Lagos.
National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), as well as Lagos State Emergency Management Agency has confirmed the incident (LASEMA).
Lagos Territorial Coordinator, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ibrahim Farinloye, who confirmed the incident said the immediate cause of the collapse was yet to be identified, but emergency workers and security operatives have already moved to the site to possibly rescue the trapped victims.
“Seven-storey building collapsed at Sand field bus stop, Lekki. Six people are said to be trapped and responders on ground,” Farinloye said.
Also confirming the incident, Secretary of Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, said that 6 persons were trapped, and that search and rescue operations are ongoing at the site.
LASEMA said the agency received a distress call at the location at midnight, and immediately activated its response plan where six people were reported to have been trapped at the time.
Oke-Osanyintolu said, “Upon arrival at the scene of the incident, an uncompleted 7-storey building undergoing construction was found to have collapsed. Six people are reported to be trapped under the rubbles of the collapsed structure.
“The Agency’s heavy-duty equipment excavator will be required for the rescue of the trapped victims. We have activated the Lagos State Response plan. Operation ongoing.”
This is yet another of several incidents of building collapse in Lagos state with high casualty figures recorded. This shows unethical practices and violation of regulatory standards by both the developers and the regulatory agencies in the state.
Recall, in November 2021, over 44 people were killed when a 21-storey high-rise building at Ikoyi collapsed.
In May this year, a 3-storey building collapsed at the Ebute-Metta area of the state killing 8 people.
Also in May 7, another building in the Ago Palace Way area.