A tragic incident unfolded at Herbert Marculley Way, Ebute Metta, Lagos, where a two-storey building collapsed around 9:30 am on Friday. Reports suggest at least one woman was trapped in the debris.
The woman, allegedly an illegal occupant, was reportedly residing in the building despite evacuation notices issued by the Lagos Building Control Agency (LASBCA).
Ibrahim Farinloye, the Territorial Head of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in Lagos, confirmed the collapse and subsequent rescue efforts.
“A two-storey building with a penthouse collapsed along Herbert Marculley Way, Ebute Metta. A woman was believed to be trapped, with suspicions of two additional individuals,” Farinloye stated. “Three occupants managed to escape with the help of residents. Search and rescue operations are underway.”
Amidst this tragedy, a 12-year-old girl was rescued from the rubble. The miraculous rescue effort was a result of dedicated search and rescue operations conducted by emergency responders. Unfortunately, her condition upon rescue was critical, raising concerns about her survival.
Previously, it was reported that three adults were rescued, but subsequent updates indicated two more bodies were recovered, suspected to be deceased. The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service initially reported the ongoing emergency, rescuing one adult female in stable condition.
This unfortunate incident serves as a stark reminder of the hazards of illegal occupation and the imperative for building safety protocols.
