A devastating building collapse occurred on Oriwu Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos State, leaving four people dead and at least 15 others injured. The three-storey building, which was under construction, came crashing down at 2:25 p.m. on Wednesday.
Emergency responders from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) swiftly arrived at the scene, just 23 minutes after the collapse. They found the structure completely collapsed and immediately began rescue operations.
Police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed the deaths, stating that two bodies were recovered on Wednesday, while two more were pulled from the rubble on Thursday morning. Fourteen people were rescued and taken to the Lagos Island General Hospital, while security operatives remained on site to maintain order.
The cause of the collapse is still unknown, but investigations are ongoing. This incident adds to the alarming trend of building failures in Lagos, raising concerns about construction quality and regulatory enforcement.
Data from the Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG) reveals that Lagos has recorded 115 building collapses in the past decade, accounting for 42.4% of all such incidents nationwide. The state government has introduced measures to address this issue, including banning approval for buildings above three floors in Ebute-Metta due to soil and water table limitations.
