At least two persons have been confirmed dead, while 16 others were rescued after a two storey building collapsed in the Satellite Town area of Alakija, Lagos.
As of press time, emergency responders were still searching for more people believed to be trapped beneath the rubble.
The incident occurred on Old Ojo Road, near Alakija Bus Stop, off the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service said it received a distress call at about 11:37 a.m. and immediately dispatched emergency personnel from the Ijegun-Egba Fire Station to the scene.
Firefighters arrived within minutes and commenced rescue operations at the site of the collapsed structure, which was reportedly occupied by several residents at the time of the incident.
The Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, confirmed that two bodies had been recovered from the building, while 16 occupants were rescued alive from the debris.
“The rescued victims sustained varying degrees of injuries and were handed over to medical personnel for treatment,” she said.
Adeseye stated that rescue operations were ongoing as emergency workers continued to search the wreckage for other occupants who might still be trapped.
The operation has drawn support from multiple emergency and security agencies, including the Federal Fire Service, Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Navy, Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), and the Nigerian Red Cross Society.
Rescue teams have cordoned off the area to facilitate unhindered operations, while heavy equipment and specialised personnel continue efforts to reach sections of the building that remain inaccessible.
In a statement, Adeseye said:
“The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service hereby provides an update on the ongoing rescue operation at the site of the collapsed two-storey building.
“Rescue efforts are still ongoing, and six additional victims have been successfully rescued from the debris, bringing the total number of rescued persons to 16.
“Regrettably, two persons have been recovered dead. Emergency responders remain on the scene, working tirelessly to ensure that all affected persons are accounted for and to safeguard the area. Further updates will be communicated as rescue operations progress.”
Meanwhile, authorities are yet to determine the cause of the collapse. However, officials said investigations would commence once rescue operations are completed.
The incident has once again raised concerns over building safety and structural integrity in Lagos, where cases of building collapse remain a recurring challenge despite regulatory measures aimed at preventing such disasters.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has assured residents that updates will continue to be provided as rescue operations progress and more information becomes available.
