Eight Confirmed Dead, 26 Rescued as Lagos Three-Storey Building Crashes

The death toll from Thursday’s collapse of a three-storey commercial building in the Alakija area of Lagos State has risen to eight, while emergency responders have successfully rescued 26 people alive from the wreckage.

The latest figures were released by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), whose Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said search teams were still combing through the debris for more victims.

The building, situated on Old Ojo Road near Alakija Bus Stop along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway in Satellite Town, gave way at about 11:37 a.m., triggering a massive rescue operation involving several emergency and security agencies.

Giving an update on the operation, Oke-Osanyintolu said the casualty figures had increased as rescue workers continued to recover victims trapped beneath the collapsed structure.

“As of 4:20 p.m., a total of 26 persons have been rescued alive, while eight fatalities have been recorded, including a baby girl.”

He added that emergency teams would remain at the scene until every possible victim had been accounted for.

“Search and rescue operations remain ongoing. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.”

Earlier, shortly after the incident, the LASEMA chief announced that the state’s emergency response system had been activated to coordinate rescue efforts at the scene.

“LASEMA has activated its emergency response following the collapse of a three-storey shopping complex at Alakija, Ori-Ade LCDA.”

He explained that personnel from various agencies had begun a coordinated search of the rubble to locate survivors.

“A multi-agency rescue operation is ongoing, with responders working systematically to search for and extricate anyone trapped beneath the rubble,” he said.

As rescue operations gathered momentum, Oke-Osanyintolu confirmed that the first survivors had already been pulled from the collapsed building through a joint effort by emergency responders.

“Two victims have been rescued alive through the joint efforts of LASEMA, LASBCA and CRCC Construction Company,” he said.

He also disclosed that rescue workers had recovered the body of an adult male during the initial phase of the operation.

“One deceased adult male has been located. Recovery efforts are ongoing.”

According to the Permanent Secretary, reports from the scene suggested that several other people, including traders and shop owners who had resumed business before the collapse, might still be trapped beneath the rubble.

“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.

To speed up the operation, he said specialised equipment had been mobilised to the disaster site.

“Heavy-duty equipment, including an excavator, is being deployed to support rescue efforts,” Oke-Osanyintolu stated.

He also appealed to residents and passers-by to stay clear of the area to enable emergency personnel carry out their work without obstruction.

“Members of the public are advised to remain calm, avoid the incident scene, and allow emergency responders unrestricted access to carry out life-saving operations.”

The ongoing rescue mission involves LASEMA, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the Federal Fire Service, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Navy, the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps, the Nigerian Red Cross Society and other emergency responders.

Rescue operations were still underway as of the time this report was filed.