One dead, two injured as building collapses during demolition in Lagos
One Dead, Two Injured in Lagos Building Collapse
LAGOS, Nigeria — One person has died and two others have sustained injuries following the partial collapse of a two-storey building undergoing manual demolition in the Alimosho area of Lagos State.
The incident occurred early Thursday morning at No. 42, Governors Road, Aboru, prompting the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) to dispatch its Alpha Eagle Response Team from the Cappa-Oshodi unit at approximately 12:56 AM.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene shortly after receiving the distress call. They cordoned off the area and initiated search and rescue operations. According to preliminary reports from LASEMA, the building collapsed while workers were performing demolition, resulting in several individuals becoming trapped under the debris.
A coordinated rescue operation involving LASEMA, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, and the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) successfully freed two adult males from the rubble. Personnel from LASAMBUS provided life-saving first aid at the scene before transporting the victims to a nearby medical facility for further evaluation.
“Sadly, one adult male was recovered deceased from beneath the collapsed structure,” LASEMA confirmed in a statement.
Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, the Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, extended condolences to the family of the deceased and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
Oke-Osanyintolu emphasized the Lagos State Government’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property. He cautioned developers and property owners against compromising safety standards during construction and demolition activities.
“We urge members of the public and developers to strictly adhere to building regulations and to engage only certified professionals for demolition and construction activities,” he stated.
He also encouraged residents to promptly report any suspected unsafe building or demolition activities by calling the toll-free emergency lines 767 and 112.
LASEMA noted that security agencies and community leaders were working together to facilitate access for responders and to ensure the safe conclusion of the operation.
The state government reiterated its dedication to enhancing emergency response capabilities through the decentralization of response units and the expansion of equipment resources, aiming to achieve a 10-minute emergency response time across Lagos.
