A sad tragedy struck Lagos on the morning of Saturday, April 19, as a three-storey building collapsed on Oremeta Street in the Ojodu-Berger area. The heartbreaking incident claimed two lives while 12 others were rescued from the rubble.
According to reports, the building was old and partially occupied. Its ground floor housed a popular eatery known as Equal Right Restaurant, while the three upper floors remained unoccupied.
The collapse occurred at around 9:30 a.m., catching residents off guard as they celebrated the Easter weekend.
Witnesses described scenes of panic and confusion as neighbors rushed to the site, desperately trying to assist the trapped victims before emergency teams arrived.
Rescue efforts were quickly launched by the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA).
Initially, nine people were pulled out alive. As operations continued, three more survivors were found, alongside the lifeless bodies of two male adults.
Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, the Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, and Margaret Adeseye, Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, credited the swift intervention of response agencies for saving lives.
According to Adeseye, the rescued individuals sustained various degrees of injuries and were promptly treated by the Lagos State Ambulance Services before being taken to the hospital for further care.
Speaking through spokesman Skakru Amodu, Adeseye emphasized the risks associated with leaving buildings unoccupied for extended periods. She noted, “Such structures weaken over time, becoming highly prone to collapse.”
Although the exact cause of the collapse is still under investigation, officials confirmed that no victims remain trapped. The site has been cleared, and calm has been restored.
Agencies present at the scene included the Lagos State Building Control Agency, Neighbourhood Safety Corps, Environmental Monitoring Unit, Lagos State Ambulance Service, Transport Management Agency, Nigerian Police, Civil Defence Corps, National Emergency Management Agency, and the Red Cross.
Stay updated with more breaking stories and human interest news by visiting NIGPOST daily.
Don’t forget to share this story to raise awareness on the dangers of neglected buildings.
Leave a Reply