One person has been confirmed dead while two others were rescued alive after a two-storey building undergoing manual demolition collapsed in the Aboru area of Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday at No. 42, Governors Road, Aboru, during demolition activities at the building.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) said its Alpha Eagle Response Team was dispatched from the Cappa, Oshodi Response Unit at about 12:56 a.m. following a distress call.
Upon arrival, emergency responders discovered that some workers had been trapped beneath the rubble. LASEMA immediately activated the State Emergency Response Plan and assumed command of the multi-agency rescue operation.
During the operation, two adult males were successfully rescued from the debris and given emergency first aid by personnel of the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS).
They were subsequently evacuated to a nearby health facility for further medical attention.
However, the body of another adult male was recovered from beneath the collapsed structure.
The rescue operation involved LASEMA, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and LASAMBUS, while the area was cordoned off to protect residents and provide emergency personnel with unhindered access to the scene.
Community leaders and security agencies also assisted the emergency responders during the operation.
The Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, commiserated with the family of the deceased and wished the injured victims a speedy recovery.
He urged developers, property owners and members of the public to strictly comply with building regulations and ensure that only certified professionals are engaged for demolition and construction activities.
Oke-Osanyintolu also advised residents to report suspicious or unsafe building and demolition activities through the 767 and 112 toll-free emergency numbers.
The incident has once again highlighted the importance of strict adherence to safety standards during construction and demolition activities, particularly in densely populated areas of Lagos State.
