No fewer than eight people have lost their lives, while 26 others have been rescued following the collapse of a three-storey building in the Alakija area of Lagos State.
The incident occurred at about 11:37 a.m. on Thursday at a building located on Old Ojo Road, near Alakija Bus Stop, off the Lagos-Badagry Expressway in Satellite Town.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed the casualty figures in a statement issued by its Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu.
According to him, the building collapse triggered a coordinated emergency response involving multiple rescue agencies, which immediately commenced search and rescue operations at the scene.
Providing an update on the operation, Oke-Osanyintolu disclosed that as of 4:20 p.m., 26 victims had been pulled out alive from the rubble, while eight people, including a baby girl, were confirmed dead.
He added that rescue efforts were still ongoing, with emergency responders continuing to search for possible survivors trapped beneath the debris.
“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. Search and rescue operations remain ongoing. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available,” he said.
Authorities are yet to determine the cause of the building collapse as investigations continue.