Eight dead, 26 rescued as three-storey building collapses in Lagos

At least eight people, including an infant, have died after a three-storey building collapsed in the Alakija area of Lagos State, Nigeria, on Thursday. Emergency authorities reported that 26 others were rescued from the debris as of Thursday afternoon, with rescue efforts continuing.

“

The search and rescue operation is still ongoing.

The incident occurred around 11:40 a.m. at a shopping complex located on Old Ojo Road near Alakija Bus Stop in Satellite Town. The structure gave way, trapping an unknown number of occupants beneath the rubble. The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed the recovery of eight bodies and the rescue of 26 people, with the Permanent Secretary, Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, stating that the search for any remaining victims was still active.

Preliminary reports suggested that shop owners and other individuals were inside the building when it collapsed. "There are reports that additional persons, including shop owners who had resumed business activities in the complex, may still be trapped," Oke-Osanyintolu noted earlier in the day. The collapse caused panic in the bustling commercial neighborhood as residents and traders gathered at the scene while emergency workers conducted their search.

“

There are reports that additional persons, including shop owners who had resumed business activities in the complex, may still be trapped.

Responders from LASEMA, the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), and other emergency services were deployed. The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service reported arriving at the scene shortly after receiving a distress call and immediately commencing search-and-rescue operations. Director Margaret Adeseye stated that 10 people were rescued alive with varying degrees of injuries and received medical attention, adding that the operation aimed to ensure no one was left trapped.

“

As of the time of this report, 10 persons have been rescued alive with varying degrees of injuries and have been handed over to medical personnel for necessary treatment.