Tragedy in Lagos: 3-Storey Building Collapse Claims 2 Lives, 14 Rescued

LAGOS—Two individuals were confirmed dead yesterday, while 14 others were rescued from the rubble after a three-story building with a penthouse, still under construction, collapsed on Oriwu Street in the Lekki area of Lagos.

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) reported that six individuals were rescued. The victims were laborers working at the site, located at House 29, Oriwu Street.

The exact cause of the collapse has not yet been determined, but the structure reportedly gave way around 4 PM. The bodies of the two deceased were recovered around 7:45 PM. Benjamin Hudenyin, the spokesman for the Lagos State Police Command, confirmed the incident and stated that police operatives were dispatched to the scene as soon as the information was received.

He commented, “Two individuals died, and a total of 14 persons have been rescued and taken to Lagos Island General Hospital for treatment. Police operatives remain on the scene to provide security during the ongoing rescue operation.”

Dr. Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, explained, “Following distress calls received through the 767/112 Emergency Toll-Free Lines, LASEMA activated the State’s Emergency Response Plans and deployed the Response Team from its Lekki and Cappa bases. Upon arrival at the scene, the LASEMA Shark and Eagle Response Teams discovered that a three-story building under construction had collapsed. The immediate cause of the incident is still under investigation.

“So far, two adult males have been recovered from the rubble of the collapsed building. Six seriously injured adult males were rescued and received immediate medical care from the LRU Pre-Hospital Care Unit before being transported to Marina General Hospital for further treatment.

“LASEMA Response Teams have initiated search and rescue operations. The LRT is coordinating with other key stakeholders for an effective response at the incident site. Heavy-duty equipment, including an excavator, has been deployed and remains operational. The search and rescue effort is ongoing.”

Rescue operators at the scene included the Police, the LASEMA Response Team, the LRT, the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), the Rapid Response Squad, the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS), and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, among others.