TheEarly hours of Monday were shattered by a devastating collapse of a two-storey building at No. 54, Cole Street, in the Oyingbo area of Lagos.
The tragedy occurred while residents were fast asleep, oblivious of the impending disaster that would change their lives forever. Several people remain trapped beneath the rubble as rescue teams work tirelessly to locate survivors.
Among the rescued are 15 people, including four children, who sustained varying degrees of injuries. According to Mrs. Margaret Adeseye, Controller General of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, “So far, 15 persons, comprising seven adult males, four adult females, and four children have been rescued with varying degrees of injuries. They have been taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Ebute Meta, and the General Hospital, Odan, Lagos Island, for urgent medical attention.”
Residents described the building collapse as “a disaster waiting to happen.” They had long expressed concerns over the structure’s stability, pointing out visible cracks and structural weaknesses. It has also been revealed that the building was previously marked as distressed. “It’s a tragedy that could have been prevented,” one resident lamented.
Emergency responders sprang into action after receiving a distress call at 12:20 a.m. The Sari-Iganmu Fire Station arrived at the scene nine minutes later, commencing a full-scale rescue operation. Mrs. Adeseye praised her team’s efforts, saying they worked painstakingly through the night to ensure no one was left trapped in the debris.
Rescue Efforts:
– 15 people rescued, including four children
– Rescue operations ongoing under the supervision of emergency responders
– Area cordoned off to prevent secondary incidents
– Officials of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) to commence integrity assessment of nearby structures
As the search for survivors continues, Mrs. Adeseye assured the public that the rescue effort would persist until all lives are accounted for. The community remains in shock, mourning the loss of lives and livelihoods.