CITIZENS COMPASS–Five construction workers were recovered dead while five others were injured on Thursday, July 25, 2024, from the scene of a building collapse in Lagos State.
The building was located at 13, Wilson Mba Street, Arowojobe Estate, Maryland.
Those injured were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment after the incident occurred in the early hours.
Eyewitnesses’ accounts said five adult males were recovered dead when a set of three terraces under construction collapsed.
Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and other emergency responders were at the scene.
According to the Director of the Fire Service, Margaret Adeseye
who gave an initial update about the incident said, “The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service was alerted at 01:55hrs today, 25th July 2024, to a collapsed building at Arowojobe Estate by Power Line, Mende Sunmola Bus Stop, Maryland. Upon receiving the call, the Ilupeju Rescue Team was immediately dispatched to the scene.
“Five people were rescued and have been transported to the hospital for medical treatment. “Sadly, three individuals have been recovered deceased.
“Search and rescue operations are actively ongoing.
“Further updates will be provided as the rescue operations continue. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragic event.
LASEMA Permanent Secretary, Dr.. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, in his updates said, “The Agency received a distress call via the CRM regarding a collapsed building at the above mentioned address on 25th July, 2024 at about 3:49am. This prompted the immediate activation of the Agency’s Response Team to the scene of the incident.
“Preliminary report on the building collapse at 13 Wilson Mba street Arowojobe Estate Maryland, Lagos
“The Agency received a distress call via the CRM regarding a collapsed building at the above-mentioned address on 25th July, 2024 at about 3:49am. This prompted the immediate activation of the Agency’s Response Team to the scene of the incident.
“The Agency responded to the above incident and discovered that a set of three terraces under construction had collapsed
“Search and rescue operations began immediately. 3 adult males were recovered dead, 2 male adults were rescued alive, and 1 adult male trapped under the rubble was rescued alive by the LASEMA and the Lagos State Fire service. All the six men were site workers. They are receiving pre hospital care on location while SEHMU has been contacted for the remains of the 3 fatalities.
A combined team of Agency personnel, Fire service and Nigeria Police are working at the scene.
“LASEMA’S excavator has been deployed to accelerate the search and rescue operations. Updates to follow.”
In his final update, he said, “By initial response early this morning at about 3:40 a.m, LASEMA and other responders rescued 3 victims.
“During the Search and Rescue Operation, 2 more male adults were rescued and stabilized before being transferred to the hospital.
“The first 3 victims that were rescued were taken to Gbagada General Hospital.
“The other 2 victims that were rescued were ferried to the Trauma Center at Gbagada after being stabilised.
“In all, the 4 adult Male victims that were recovered dead, have been handed over to the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit, SEHMU, for further processing.
“Search and Rescue Operation is still ongoing at Ground Zero.
“An additional male fatality has just been recovered.
“Total number of dead is now 5 (five) adult males.
Total number of rescued is 5 (five).”
