The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) on Thursday confirmed the death of one adult male following the collapse of a three-storey building in the Apapa area of Lagos State.
LASEMA also confirmed that eight others were rescued from the rubble.
The agency’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, stated in a release made available to NAN that the response team arrived at the scene around 11:09 a.m. to find the building completely collapsed, trapping several workers.
“Following distress alerts at 11:09 am, LASEMA activated the State’s Emergency Response Plans from Agbowa and Alausa,” Oke-Osanyintolu said.
“Upon arrival of the agency’s response teams at 11:09 am, it was discovered that a three-storey building with a penthouse collapsed on Thursday at No. 28, Baale Alayabiagba Street, Alayabiagba community, Ajegunle, Apapa area of Lagos. The cause of the collapsed building is yet to be ascertained.”
He added: “Eight adult males were rescued alive and given first aid by the Lagos State Ambulance Service before being taken to Ajeromi General Hospital. One adult male, however, had been recovered dead from the debris.”
Residents reported that the building had been undergoing manual demolition when it gave way, burying workers on site.
Responders at the scene included officials from LASEMA, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps, the Lagos State Building Control Agency, the National Emergency Management Agency, and the Nigeria Police.
Search and rescue operations were ongoing at the time of reporting.