KEY POINTS

• One person died while 10 others were rescued after a three-storey shopping complex collapsed in the Alakija area of Lagos.
• Emergency responders from LASEMA, the Lagos Fire and Rescue Service, and other agencies launched a coordinated search-and-rescue operation.
• Authorities say more people may still be trapped beneath the rubble as investigations into the cause of the collapse continue.

A tragic building collapse in the Alakija area of Lagos State has claimed the life of one person, while at least 10 others have been rescued alive as emergency responders continue intensive efforts to locate victims feared trapped beneath the debris.

The incident occurred at about 11:40 a.m. on Thursday at a three-storey shopping complex located along Old Ojo Road, close to Alakija Bus Stop on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway in Satellite Town.

The collapse threw the area into panic as traders, residents and passers-by rushed to the scene before emergency agencies arrived to begin rescue operations.

Emergency agencies launch coordinated rescue operation

Following distress calls, officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) and other emergency responders were immediately mobilised to the scene.

LASEMA’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said a comprehensive multi-agency emergency response had been activated to search for and rescue anyone trapped under the collapsed structure.

According to him, rescue teams began a systematic search of the rubble immediately after arriving at the scene, amid concerns that several shop owners and customers could still be trapped.

Dr. Oke-Osanyintolu disclosed that rescue workers initially pulled two people out alive through the joint efforts of LASEMA, LASBCA and a construction company assisting at the scene.

He also confirmed that the body of an adult male was recovered from the rubble during the operation.

To speed up the rescue exercise, heavy-duty equipment, including excavators, was deployed to carefully remove debris while ensuring the safety of trapped victims and rescue personnel.

The LASEMA boss appealed to members of the public to stay away from the scene to allow emergency responders unrestricted access to continue their life-saving operations.

“There are reports that additional persons, including shop owners who had resumed business, may still be trapped. Search and rescue operations remain active,” he said.

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service also confirmed that it received an emergency call at approximately 11:37 a.m. and swiftly deployed firefighters from the Ijegun-Egba Fire Station to the scene.

Controller General of the agency, Margaret Adeseye, said the shopping complex was occupied when it suddenly collapsed, raising fears that more occupants could still be buried beneath the wreckage.

She disclosed that 10 people had so far been rescued alive with varying degrees of injuries.