UPDATED: 10 killed, 24 rescued as 3-storey building collapses in Lagos

A member of the National Youth Service Corps identified as Oluwakemi, has been recovered dead from the rubble of the collapsed Lagos building, bringing the death toll to 10.

Nine persons had earlier been confirmed dead in the 3-storey building that collapsed in the Ebutte Meta axis of Lagos Mainland Local Government Area of Lagos State on Sunday.

The dead include a bread seller and her foster son, David, as well as an elderly woman and her son, Paulin.

Also 24 persons were said to have been rescued from the rubble and treated.

The building located on Ibadan Street reportedly caved in around 9:30pm.

Men of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, National Emergency Management Agency, among others are at the scene.

A source had told Daily Trust on Sunday night that nine residents had been rescued from the building.

In a video of the incident shared on social media, a large crowd was seen in front of the building.

The state fire service in an update said, “An alert of a collapse of a three storey building by 32 Ibadan Street, Ebute Meta was received at 21:48 hours, Sunday with Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service already at the scene.

“Search and rescue ongoing with updates to follow, please.”

But giving an update on the tragedy in the early hours of Monday, the National Emergency Management Agency said four bodies had been recovered so far as the search and rescue operation continued.

The agency’s Lagos Terrorial Head, Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, said, “Altogether as at now, about 23 people have been rescued alive; 7 children and 16 adults. Nine of those rescued alive have been treated and discharged.

“They returned to the acne but they were away for proper custody while psycho- Social and trauma counselling are being arranged for them by the Nigeria Red Cross

Operations are ongoing.

“Two dead bodies, a mother and her foster son were recovered dead. The son was about 28 to 29 years old man. The mother is called Mama bread seller while her son was David.

“Also an elderly woman, Mama Tahin, was recovered dead while her son, Tahin is still trapped.”

In subsequent updates, Farinloye said Tahin, an elderly man, a corps member, a child and two other victims had also been recovered dead, bringing the death toll to 10

He said, “An elderly man who had hearing impairment, a young man, Tahin, a female and a boy had been recovered dead.

“The body of the NYSC lady, Oluwakemi, was just discovered and evacuated now. The father identified her. She was found with her phone in her hand. So far, four females and six males were found dead.”

Director of Lagos fire service, Margaret Adeseye, said emergency agencies were nearing ground zero in the operations.

She said, “As we achieve ground zero of the search and rescue operations, it is to be noted that the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service can account for the followings: 24 (persons) were rescued alive with varying degrees of injury and all in stable condition, including 2 who are responding to treatment.

“Ten recovered dead; 6 males and 4 females. All the first and major responders are still collaborating to mop up the incident scene.”