LAGOS — Tragedy was averted on Friday night after eight construction workers trapped in the rubble of a collapsed four-storey building in the Alagomeji area of Ebute-Metta, Lagos, were rescued alive.
The building, located at 333 Borno Way, caved in around 7:46 p.m. while construction was ongoing.
Confirming the incident, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service in a statement signed by Deputy Comptroller Olajide Ogabi said three workers were rescued shortly after the collapse, with rescue operations intensifying for others still trapped.
“The building collapse at 333 Borno Way, Alagomeji, Ebute-Metta, Lagos, has all relevant emergency responders including the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service at the scene with three male adult victims already rescued alive while search and rescue continues for the remaining two construction workers still trapped in,” Ogabi initially disclosed.
By Saturday morning, the agency announced that all eight trapped victims — all male construction workers — had been pulled out alive as search efforts reached ground zero.
“All reported trapped eight victims have been rescued alive as search and rescue reached ground zero while evacuation of rubbles continue,” Ogabi confirmed.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in a post on X, also reported that the incident occurred around 8:30 p.m., leaving several people initially trapped beneath the debris.
The collapse has once again raised concerns about the frequent cases of building failures in Lagos. Ebute-Metta, in particular, has recorded multiple building tragedies in recent years. In May 2022, a three-storey building in the community collapsed, killing 10 residents, including a National Youth Service Corps member, while injuring 24 others.
Preliminary investigations into past incidents often pointed to structural weaknesses and the use of substandard materials as major causes. The Lagos State Government has repeatedly vowed to intensify monitoring of construction sites to curb the recurring menace.
Comments