Lagos building collapse: Nine bodies recovered, 27 rescued

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has concluded search, rescue and recovery operations at the site of the collapsed two-storey building at Alakija Bus Stop, Satellite Town, rescuing 27 persons alive and recovering nine bodies.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the building collapsed at about 12:47 p.m. on Thursday in the Amuwo-Odofin area of Lagos.

LASEMA, in a statement issued on Friday by its Head of Public Affairs, Mr Afolabi Olawale, said the agency immediately activated its emergency response teams.

It said its Sharks Response Team from Lekki Base and Alpha Cobra Squad from Onipanu arrived at the scene within 40 minutes alongside other emergency responders.

According to the agency, emergency responders involved in the operation included the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority.

Others are the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps, Federal Road Safety Corps, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Red Cross and the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).

LASEMA said all 27 rescued victims received immediate pre-hospital care from LASAMBUS before being taken to nearby hospitals for further treatment.

It said the fatalities comprised four adults confirmed dead before emergency responders arrived and five additional victims, including a two-year-old girl, recovered during the rescue operation.

According to the agency, the remains were handed over to the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit for identification and release to their families.

It said its heavy-duty excavator complemented two excavators deployed by CCECC, enabling responders to safely access trapped victims and complete the operation.

The agency said rescue operations ended at about 4:00 a.m. on Friday after responders reached ground zero.

It added that the Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations and the Permanent Secretary of the ministry provided strategic oversight throughout the operation.

LASEMA said Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu had directed LASBCA to immediately assess the structural integrity of adjoining buildings and enforce compliance with building regulations in the area.

The agency expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and wished the injured speedy recovery.

It urged residents to promptly report distressed buildings to LASBCA or through LASEMA’s toll-free emergency lines, 112 and 767, to help prevent similar incidents. (NAN)

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