One dead, three rescued as building under construction collapses in Lagos

Three construction workers were rescued alive and one person died after a two-storey building under construction collapsed on Akinola Street, near Fadeyi Bus Stop off Ikorodu Road in Lagos State, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) said.

LASEMA said it received a distress call at 12:10am on Friday, 23 October, and activated its Cobra Response Team from the Onipanu base, which reached the scene at 12:12am. Responders heard groaning sounds from beneath the collapsed structure, indicating that some of those trapped might still be alive, and an excavator was deployed to support the search and rescue operation.

By 3:33am, three adult males had been rescued alive while one adult male was recovered dead. The rescued workers received pre-hospital care from LASEMA paramedics and the Lagos State Ambulance Service before being taken to hospital for further treatment. The agency said search and rescue operations were continuing to establish whether more people remained trapped beneath the rubble.

The operation was coordinated by LASEMA's Director of Operations, Engr. Akinsanya, and the Head of Cappa Base, Engr. Salami, who both arrived at the scene. Other responders included the LASEMA Response Team, the Lagos Rescue Unit, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, LASAMBUS and officers of the Nigeria Police Force from the Alagbon Division.

The cause of the collapse had not been established as of the time of the report. LASEMA said relevant regulatory agencies would conduct a detailed investigation into the incident.

The Lagos State Government expressed sympathy to the family of the deceased and wished the rescued victims a speedy recovery. It restated its zero tolerance for substandard construction and said it would strengthen monitoring and enforcement in collaboration with the Lagos State Building Control Agency to prevent a recurrence.