One dead, 13 rescued in Lagos building collapse

Tragedy struck early Saturday morning after a two-storey building collapsed on Oremeta Street in the Ojodu-Berger area of Lagos State, killing one person and leaving several others trapped beneath the rubble.

According to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the building, which housed a local restaurant and was reportedly still under construction, caved in around 8:00 am.

The incident caused widespread panic in the community.

Thirteen people have so far been rescued alive from the debris, while one adult was confirmed dead at the scene.

The South-West Coordinator of NEMA, Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye, said the cause of the collapse had not yet been determined at the time of reporting.

“Twelve victims have been rescued, one adult dead,” Farinloye stated.

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has launched a full-scale response operation.

Speaking from the site, LASEMA’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Damilola Oke-Osanyitolu, assured residents that all necessary emergency protocols had been activated under the directive of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

“A two-storey building collapsed; we’ve activated the Lagos State emergency response plan,” he said.
“We’re painstaking in the way we’re responding, and the operation is ongoing. We’ll get to ground zero and give a comprehensive report.”

He appealed to residents to remain calm and allow emergency teams to carry out their operations without obstruction.

Residents expressed frustration over the apparent poor construction practices that may have contributed to the collapse.

One eyewitness alleged that the building’s structural integrity was compromised by recent unauthorized modifications.

“The contractor added another floor without proper reinforcement. The decking wasn’t handled properly, especially considering the recent rains,” a resident told reporters, requesting anonymity.

Another local lamented the inadequate equipment being used for the rescue, fearing it could cause further harm to victims still trapped beneath the rubble.

“They’re breaking concrete manually, which might hurt the people still under. They need better machines,” he said.

The restaurant owner was reportedly not present at the time of the incident, and the number of individuals initially inside the building remains unclear.

Authorities say rescue efforts will continue until all parts of the site are cleared and everyone is accounted for.