Lagos, Nigeria – Panic and fear gripped the Alakija area of Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area on Thursday after a three-storey building collapsed, with an unspecified number of people feared trapped beneath the rubble .
The building, a shopping complex located on Old Ojo Road near Alakija Bus Stop along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway in Satellite Town, caved in at approximately 11:40 a.m. . The collapse sent residents, traders, and passers-by fleeing for safety as a thick cloud of dust enveloped the neighbourhood .
Rescue Operations Underway
Immediately following the incident, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) activated its emergency response mechanism, deploying a multi-agency rescue operation to the site . The Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, confirmed that responders were conducting systematic search and extrication efforts .
Heavy-duty equipment, including an excavator, has been deployed to aid in clearing debris and reaching those trapped . Emergency teams from the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Federal Fire Service, Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Navy, Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps, and the Nigerian Red Cross Society are all participating in the operation .
Casualty Figures
There are varying reports on the number of casualties. The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that 16 people have been rescued alive from the rubble with varying degrees of injuries and handed over to medical personnel . However, one adult male has been confirmed dead, with his body recovered from the debris .
Authorities fear that more victims, including shop owners who had resumed business for the day, may still be trapped under the rubble . Rescue operations remain active as emergency workers continue to search for survivors .
Eyewitness Accounts
Eyewitnesses described the terrifying moment the structure gave way without warning . One resident, who spoke with reporters, described hearing a loud noise followed by smoke everywhere . Another witness pointed to the rubble, stating that a person's hand could be seen and that someone was making noise from under the debris, indicating that people were still alive inside .
Multiple witnesses confirmed that the building was old and had developed visible cracks as recently as Tuesday . There were also claims that the Lagos State Government had previously marked the building with a red warning for evacuation .
Renewed Concerns
This incident comes less than 24 hours after a deadly building collapse in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, which left one person dead and several others injured . The back-to-back incidents have renewed concerns over compliance with building regulations, enforcement of development approvals, and adherence to safety standards within Nigeria's construction sector .
Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the collapse but have assured the public that a comprehensive investigation would commence after rescue operations are concluded . LASEMA has urged members of the public to remain calm, avoid the incident scene, and allow emergency responders unrestricted access to carry out life-saving operations .
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