One dead, two saved as Lagos building falls during demolition

One person died and two others were rescued after a two-storey building being pulled down fell in Aboru, Lagos. This was reported on Thursday by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA).

The building was located at No. 42 Governors Road in Alimosho Local Government Area. It collapsed around midnight while workers were demolishing it.

In a statement, LASEMA’s Permanent Secretary, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said the agency’s Alpha Eagle Response Team was sent out from Cappa, Oshodi Response Unit at 12:56 a.m. after they got a distress call.

When the team arrived, they found workers trapped under the rubble. They quickly started search and rescue operations.

“Preliminary findings indicate that the building was being manually demolished when the collapse occurred,” Mr Oke-Osanyintolu said.

Two adult men were rescued alive from the debris. Sadly, another adult man was found dead, according to the agency.

Personnel from the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) gave first aid to the survivors and took them to a nearby health facility for further treatment.

LASEMA noted that the rescue operation was done alongside the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and LASAMBUS. The area was also cordoned off to keep emergency responders safe while they worked.

Community leaders and security agencies helped the emergency teams at the scene, as reported by the agency.

Lagos regulations say that residents and developers must inform the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) before starting any demolition work.

LASBCA is responsible for making sure buildings in the state meet safety standards and for removing unsafe buildings.

It is not clear if the demolition at No. 42 Governors Road had the necessary approval or oversight.

Mr Oke-Osanyintolu expressed his condolences to the family of the deceased. He urged residents and developers to follow building regulations and hire certified professionals for demolition and construction work.

He also encouraged residents to report any unsafe or suspicious building activities through the state’s emergency numbers, 767 and 112.