One dead, 26 rescued as two storey building collapses in Lagos

By Obasola Olatunde 

One person has been confirmed dead while 26 others have been rescued after a two storey building collapsed at 54 Cole Street, near Cemetery Bus Stop in the Oyingbo area of Lagos.

The Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, confirmed the figures in an updated situation report issued on Monday.

According to Adeseye, rescue operations, which began shortly after midnight, were coordinated by officials from the Sari-Iganmu Fire Station, following a distress call received at about 12:20 a.m.

 “Update: One recovered dead as survivors rescued alive move to 26,” Adeseye stated.

She explained that the structure, which had earlier been marked distressed, suddenly gave way while residents were still inside.

“It is an ongoing rescue involving a two storey building which reportedly showed signs of distress before collapsing on the occupants,” she added.

As of Monday morning, 15 victims including seven men, four women, and four children were pulled out with varying degrees of injuries and taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Ebute-Metta, and General Hospital, Odan, Lagos Island.

Rescue operations were still ongoing as of press time