Three-Storey Building Collapses in Lagos, Killing 8, Workers Rescue 26.

The death toll from Thursday’s collapse of a three-storey shopping complex in the Alakija area of Lagos State has risen to eight, with a baby girl among the victims, while emergency responders have rescued 26 persons alive from the rubble.

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed the latest casualty figures in a statement issued by its Permanent Secretary, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, as rescue workers continued efforts to locate and extricate persons believed to be trapped beneath the debris.

 The building, located on Old Ojo Road by Alakija Bus Stop, off the Lagos-Badagry Expressway in Satellite Town, collapsed at about 11:37 a.m., triggering a large-scale emergency response involving multiple government agencies and security services.

Providing an update on the operation, Oke-Osanyintolu said that as of 4:20 p.m., 26 victims had been pulled out alive, while eight fatalities had been recorded.

“As of 4:20 p.m., a total of 26 persons have been rescued alive, while eight fatalities have been recorded, including a baby girl”, he said.

The LASEMA chief added that search-and-rescue operations remained ongoing, with responders carefully combing through the wreckage amid fears that more victims could still be trapped.

“Search and rescue operations remain ongoing. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available”, he stated.

Earlier, LASEMA announced the activation of its emergency response mechanism following reports of the collapse.

“LASEMA has activated its emergency response following the collapse of a three-storey shopping complex at Alakija, Ori-Ade LCDA. A multi-agency rescue operation is ongoing, with responders working systematically to search for and extricate anyone trapped beneath the rubble”, Oke-Osanyintolu said.

The agency disclosed that the first survivors were rescued through the coordinated efforts of emergency personnel from LASEMA, the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) and the China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC).

“Two victims have been rescued alive through the joint efforts of LASEMA, LASBCA and CRCC Construction Company”, he noted.

An adult male was also recovered dead during the early phase of the operation, before the casualty figure rose significantly as rescue efforts progressed.

According to Oke-Osanyintolu, reports from the scene indicated that additional occupants and shop owners who had resumed business activities before the collapse might still be trapped beneath the rubble.

“There are reports that additional persons, including shop owners who had resumed business, may still be trapped. Search and rescue operations remain active”, he said.

To aid the operation, emergency managers deployed heavy-duty equipment, including excavators, to remove debris and create access points for rescue workers.

“Heavy-duty equipment, including an excavator, is being deployed to support rescue efforts”, the LASEMA permanent secretary added.

He appealed to members of the public to remain calm and avoid the scene to ensure unhindered access for emergency personnel.

“Members of the public are advised to remain calm, avoid the incident scene, and allow emergency responders unrestricted access to carry out life-saving operations”, he noted.