Tension filled the air in Oriwu Estate, Lagos, on Wednesday, as a two-storey building under construction suddenly collapsed, trapping several individuals beneath the rubble.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, causing widespread panic among residents and bystanders.
Quick to respond, emergency teams from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) launched an immediate rescue operation, working tirelessly to recover victims from the debris.
It was gathered that five adults have been rescued, with four of them requiring urgent medical attention.
Dr. Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, the Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, confirmed that the search operation was still in progress.
He assured the public that authorities would provide further updates as the situation unfolds.
“We are committed to ensuring that every possible survivor is rescued from the rubble,” Dr. Oke-Osanyintolu stated.
The cause of the collapse remains uncertain, with investigations set to explore the possibility of structural defects or construction violations.
Residents and onlookers, many of whom witnessed the tragedy unfold, are left in a state of shock.
This tragic incident in Oriwu Estate comes just weeks after another building collapse in the Ikota area of Ajah, Lagos, on January 30, 2025, which left two dead and several injured.
While authorities continue to investigate the underlying causes of these incidents.
