One Dead, Several Feared Trapped as Three-Storey Shopping Complex Collapses in Lagos
A three-storey shopping complex has collapsed in the Alakija area of Lagos State, leaving one person dead, several others injured, and an unknown number feared trapped beneath the debris.
The incident occurred on Thursday morning along Old Ojo Road, close to Alakija Bus Stop on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway in Satellite Town. The collapse triggered an immediate response from emergency agencies, including the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA).
Confirming the development, LASEMA Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said rescue teams were on the ground carrying out intensive search and rescue operations to locate victims who may still be trapped under the rubble.
According to him, the agency activated its emergency response plan shortly after receiving reports of the collapse. Multiple agencies were mobilized to the scene to support rescue efforts and ensure a coordinated operation.
Emergency responders have so far rescued several victims alive, while the body of one adult male has been recovered from the wreckage. Authorities, however, fear that more people may still be trapped inside the collapsed structure.
Reports from the scene indicate that shop owners and traders had resumed business activities before the building suddenly gave way. This has heightened concerns that the number of casualties could increase as rescue operations continue.
To speed up the rescue process, heavy-duty equipment, including excavators, has been deployed to assist emergency workers in removing debris and accessing hard-to-reach areas.
Officials have appealed to residents and onlookers to stay away from the scene and allow rescue personnel unrestricted access to carry out life-saving operations safely and efficiently.
Authorities say investigations will be conducted to determine the cause of the collapse, while efforts remain focused on locating and rescuing any remaining victims.
LASEMA assured the public that verified updates would be provided as rescue operations progress and more information becomes available.
One Dead, 10 Rescued as Building Collapses in Lagos
One person has been confirmed dead while 10 others were rescued after a building collapsed in the Alakija area of Lagos State on Thursday, sparking a major emergency response operation.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service said it received a distress call at about 11:37 a.m. and immediately deployed personnel from the Ijegun-Egba Fire Station. Emergency responders arrived at the scene within minutes and commenced rescue operations.
According to the Controller General of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, the incident involved a multi-storey residential building occupied by several residents at the time it collapsed.
Adeseye disclosed that 10 victims had been rescued alive from the rubble and handed over to medical personnel for treatment. The rescued individuals reportedly sustained varying degrees of injuries and are currently receiving medical attention.
She added that emergency responders remained on-site, conducting intensive search and rescue operations to locate and evacuate any other occupants who may still be trapped beneath the debris.
The collapse attracted officials from several emergency agencies, who coordinated efforts to ensure a swift response and prevent further casualties. Heavy-duty equipment was also deployed to assist rescue teams in clearing the rubble.
As rescue efforts continued, authorities urged residents and bystanders to stay away from the area to allow emergency workers unrestricted access to the site.
The cause of the building collapse has not yet been determined, and officials say investigations will be launched once rescue operations are completed.
Emergency agencies have assured the public that updates will be provided as more information emerges regarding the incident and the condition of those affected.