UPDATED: Three dead, seven injured as Mosque collapses in Lagos 

CITIZENS COMPASS – The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), has confirmed that three persons were dead while seven others were injured when a mosque collapsed in Papa Ajao, Lagos State.

The incident occurred at the Yusuf Street area of Papa Ajao when an excavator clearing the road recklessly hit a mosque which collapsed on the spot.

LASEMA Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said the incident occurred before 2 p.m.
“Upon arrival at the scene at 01:40 pm, a storey building was found to have collapsed.

“Preliminary investigation carried out upon arrival at the scene revealed that an excavator clearing the road recklessly hit a mosque (a story building) by the roadside which resulted in the mosque collapsing as prayer was about to commence.

“Four victims were immediately rushed to the hospital. A total of 10 people were trapped beneath the rubble.

“Search and Rescue of the victims trapped under the rubbles under the supervision of the PS was conducted with the aid of the Agency’s heavy-duty equipment Crane, Hiab, and an excavator.

“One adult was retrieved dead while the others received pre-hospital care on the scene from the Agency’s Pre-Hospital Care Unit. One with serious injuries was transferred to hospital.

“Responders at the scene of the incident include the Agency’s response team led by the PS, LRU Fire unit, Lagos State Fire Service, LASPA, LASBCA, NEMA, Nigeria Police, LNSC, FRSC, and LASAMBUS.”
In his final update, Osanyintolu said, “Following an extensive exercise, the final casualty report on the above incident is that 3 fatalities and 7 casualties varying in severity.

The affected buildings have been leveled to ground zero.

“Responders at the scene of the incident include the Agency’s response team led by the PS, LRU Fire unit, Lagos State Fire Service, LASBCA, NEMA, Nigeria Police, LNSC, FRSC, and LASAMBUS.
“Operation concluded.”