A two-storey building collapsed early Monday in the Oyingbo area of Lagos State, leaving several occupants feared trapped beneath the rubble.
The incident occurred at 54, Cole Street, Cemetery Bus Stop, around 3 a.m., prompting an immediate response from emergency services.
According to Margaret Adeseye, Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the agency received a distress call shortly after the collapse. She confirmed that rescue operations began immediately.
Adeseye revealed that the ill-fated building had earlier been marked “Distressed” by relevant authorities before it eventually gave way.
“The building at 54, Cole Street, Cemetery Bus Stop, had been identified as distressed before it collapsed on the occupants,” Adeseye stated in a situation report released on Monday morning.
She disclosed that 15 people including seven women, seven men, and four children were rescued with varying degrees of injuries.
The victims have been taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Ebute Meta, and the General Hospital, Odan, Lagos, for treatment.
Emergency officials from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and the Fire and Rescue Service are still at the site, searching for more survivors.
Authorities have cordoned off the area to prevent further casualties as rescue efforts continue.
The Lagos State Government has repeatedly warned residents to vacate marked buildings across the state to avoid tragedies like this.
Meanwhile, officials are investigating whether the landlord ignored safety warnings before the collapse.