The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, has confirmed one dead in a building collapse in the Ojodu area, Lagos State as clearance operation continues.
Twelve persons were rescued from the debris of the three-storey building which collapsed Saturday around 9.45 am.
Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, NEMA Coordinator, Lagos Territorial Office confirmed said the cause of the collapse was unknown.
He said that search and rescue operation was still ongoing.
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The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu disclosed that:
“Following distress alerts at 09.45hrs, LASEMA activated the Emergency Response Plans from Command-and-Control Centre, Alausa and Onipanu.
“Upon arrival at the incident scene by 09.52hrs, it was discovered that a three-storey building housing a restaurant and bar had collapsed, with several victims trapped under the debris at the aforementioned location.
“Eight individuals were initially rescued. A victim rescued by the LASEMA Pre-Hospital Care Unit has been taken to the hospital for additional treatment.
“No deaths have been recorded so far from the incident.”
He said the cause of the building collapse was unknown.
He added that LASEMA response teams commenced search and rescue efforts immediately on arrival.
“Safety measures were activated with the operational area cordoned off at the incident scene and update to follow,” he said.
Meanwhile, a NAN Correspondent, who was at the scene, reports that efforts are still underway as emergency responders continue to search through the rubble at Ojodu.
NAN reports that the search was being handled collaboratively by LASEMA, the National Emergency Management Agency, the Lagos State Fire and Ambulance Services, as well as the Public Works Corporation.
Oke-Osayintolu at the scene of the collapsed building, praised the swift action of the first responders and commended the Nigeria Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for maintaining security in the densely populated neighbourhood.
A family in their vehicle parked near the restaurant on the building’s ground floor was caught in the debris.
NAN
