Tragedy struck in Ebute Meta, Lagos State, on Friday evening when a three-storey building collapsed, leaving four people dead and six others rescued alive, authorities have confirmed.
The incident occurred at No. 325 Bornu Street. According to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), a distress call was received around 6:00 pm, prompting the immediate deployment of emergency response teams.
Speaking at the site, Olatunde Akinsanya, Director of Operations at LASEMA, explained that casualty figures were still being updated as rescue efforts continued.
“So far, six people have been rescued alive, while four have unfortunately lost their lives,” he said.
Swift Emergency Response
Akinsanya praised the coordinated efforts of multiple agencies, including the Lagos State Building Control Agency, Lagos State Fire Service, the police, and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), which helped to stabilise the situation and save lives.
Despite the magnitude of the collapse, officials said the swift deployment of rescue equipment and trained personnel under the supervision of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration prevented a higher death toll.
“The emergency services of Lagos State have proven to be highly effective and efficient. As operations continue, we will keep updating the public,” Akinsanya added, urging residents to remain calm and assured of the government’s preparedness to handle such crises.
The cause of the collapse has not yet been determined, but concerns remain over Lagos’ frequent incidents of structural failure, often linked to poor construction standards and regulatory violations.
