Rescue Operations Continue After Fatal Collapse
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has confirmed that 26 persons were rescued alive, while eight others, including a baby girl, lost their lives following the collapse of a three-storey shopping complex in the Alakija area of Lagos. The agency provided these figures in an update issued on Thursday, as of 4:20 p.m., noting that search and rescue operations were still ongoing.
Multi-Agency Response Activated
The building collapsed earlier on Thursday in Alakija, located in the Ori-Ade Local Council Development Area. This prompted the activation of a multi-agency emergency response involving LASEMA, the Lagos State Building Control Agency, and the China Railway Construction Corporation. Emergency responders continue efforts to locate and extricate any additional victims trapped beneath the rubble.
In an earlier update, the Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, stated that two victims were initially rescued alive through the joint efforts of the agencies. He also confirmed the recovery of one adult male from the debris and indicated that reports suggested additional persons, including shop owners who had resumed business activities in the complex, might still be trapped.
Systematic Excavation Underway
According to LASEMA, rescue teams have continued systematic excavation of the debris, supported by heavy-duty equipment, including an excavator. The agency urged residents and onlookers to stay away from the scene to enable emergency personnel to carry out rescue operations unhindered. LASEMA assured the public that verified updates would continue to be released as the operation progresses.
The cause of the collapse has yet to be officially determined, as investigations are still in the early stages.
