Several trapped as 21-storey building collapses in Ikoyi, Lagos

Many have been trapped under the rubble of a 21-storey building that collapsed at Musikiu Junction by Gerard Road, Ikoyi, Lagos on Monday.

The number of persons trapped is yet unconfirmed but according to reports, workers and neighbours scrambled to dig people out of the rubble of the collapsed building and at least four persons have been rescued from the rubble.

The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat, has also been sighted at the scene.

Officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) said they were trying to deploy the military for crowd control as apprehensive sympathisers insisted there are many people trapped inside the building.

“The Agency has activated its emergency response plan to the scene. Search and Rescue operations ongoing,” LASEMA said in a statement.

“The Hon. Commissioner for Special Duties & Intergovernmental Relations, it’s counterpart, Hon. Commissioner for Physical Planning and DG LASEMA are fully on ground.

“All first responders are at the scene while the heavy duty equipment and life detection equipment have been dispatched.”