LASEMA rescues 27, recovers nine bodies from collapsed Lagos building
LASEMA Concludes Operations at Lagos Building Collapse Site
LAGOS — The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has completed search, rescue, and recovery operations following the collapse of a two-storey building near Alakija Bus Stop in Satellite Town. The incident, which occurred around 12:47 p.m. on Thursday, resulted in the rescue of 27 individuals. Recovery teams also found nine deceased victims in the debris.
In a statement released Friday, LASEMA’s Head of Public Affairs, Afolabi Olawale, said emergency response teams were deployed to the site soon after receiving distress calls.
The agency’s Sharks Response Team from the Lekki base and the Alpha Cobra Squad from Onipanu were on the scene within 40 minutes, supported by various other emergency services. Agencies involved included the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS), and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), among others.
All 27 individuals rescued were given immediate medical attention by LASAMBUS personnel before being transported to hospitals for further care. LASEMA reported that among those deceased were four adults who had been confirmed dead prior to the arrival of rescue teams. Five additional victims, including a two-year-old girl, were later retrieved during the operation.
The remains of the deceased have been handed over to the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit for identification and release to their families.
LASEMA utilized heavy-duty excavators, including two provided by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), to safely access trapped victims and facilitate the operation. The rescue efforts concluded around 4:00 a.m. on Friday.
The Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, along with the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, supervised the operation throughout its duration.
Following the incident, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu directed the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) to conduct integrity assessments on nearby structures and ensure compliance with building regulations in the area.
LASEMA expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and wished a swift recovery to those injured. The agency also encouraged residents to report any distressed structures to LASBCA or via its emergency hotlines, 112 and 767, to help prevent future incidents.
