One dead, one missing as three-storey building collapses in Lagos

One person has been confirmed dead while another remains missing after a three-storey building under construction partially collapsed in Lekki Phase 1 area of Lagos State.

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, disclosed in a statement issued by its Head of Public Affairs, Afolabi Olawale that the incident occurred at about 12:19 pm on Friday at No. 1 Josephine Fingesi Street, off Wole Olateju Street, Lekki Phase 1.

According to the agency, its Sharks Response Team swiftly moved to the scene after receiving distress calls regarding the collapse.

LASEMA stated that nine persons were affected in the incident.

The agency said seven adult males were rescued alive and stabilised by emergency responders, while one victim was confirmed dead at the scene. Another person was still unaccounted for as rescue operations continued.

“Seven adult males were rescued alive and stabilized by LRU Paramedics and LASAMBUS; one adult male was confirmed dead at the scene and his remains recovered; one adult male remains missing,” the statement read.

The agency explained that search and rescue efforts were still ongoing, with responders manually dismantling concrete slabs at the site to locate the missing victim and ensure that no other person remained trapped beneath the rubble.

LASEMA added that the Lagos State Building Control Agency, LASBCA, had been engaged to provide rod-cutting equipment, while the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit, SEHMU, was assisting with commodity bagging.

It further stated that all workers at the construction site were being re-engaged to determine if more persons could still be trapped.

Emergency responders at the scene include LASEMA Response Teams, LRU Paramedics, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, and LASAMBUS.

Reacting to the incident, the Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, directed that rescue efforts be intensified.

“Our priority remains saving lives. We are working methodically and in partnership with LASBCA and SEHMU to ensure no victim is left behind while maintaining safety for responders,” he stated.

The agency also advised motorists to comply with traffic diversions around Old Abeokuta Road inward Abattoir and warned residents against entering construction sites without proper safety certification.