A three-storey shopping complex collapsed in the Alakija area of Lagos State on Thursday, killing one person, injuring several others, and leaving an unspecified number feared trapped beneath the rubble.
The building, located on Old Ojo Road near Alakija Bus Stop along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway in Satellite Town, reportedly caved in at about 11:40 a.m., triggering a large-scale emergency response involving multiple rescue agencies.
In a statement, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said rescue teams were conducting a coordinated search-and-rescue operation to locate and extricate victims trapped in the debris.
“LASEMA has activated its emergency response following the collapse of a three-storey shopping complex at Alakija, Ori-Ade LCDA,” he said.
According to him, responders are systematically combing through the rubble amid fears that more victims may still be trapped.
“A multi-agency rescue operation is ongoing, with responders working systematically to search for and extricate anyone trapped beneath the rubble,” Oke-Osanyintolu said.
He confirmed that one adult male had been recovered dead, while two victims were rescued alive through the joint efforts of LASEMA, the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), and the China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC).
“There are reports that additional persons, including shop owners who had resumed business activities, may still be trapped. Search and rescue operations remain active,” he added.
Oke-Osanyintolu said heavy-duty equipment, including an excavator, had been deployed to support rescue efforts and urged residents to stay away from the scene to allow emergency workers unhindered access.
“Members of the public are advised to remain calm, avoid the incident scene, and allow emergency responders unrestricted access to carry out life-saving operations,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service said it received a distress call at 11:37 a.m. and immediately mobilised personnel from the Ijegun-Egba Fire Station, who arrived at the scene 12 minutes later.
In a separate statement, the agency’s Director, Margaret Adeseye, said 10 people had been rescued alive from the collapsed structure and handed over to medical personnel for treatment.
“As of the time of this report, 10 persons have been rescued alive with varying degrees of injuries and have been handed over to medical personnel for necessary treatment,” she said.
Adeseye added that search-and-rescue operations were ongoing as emergency responders continued efforts to locate and evacuate anyone still trapped beneath the debris.
“Search and rescue operations remain ongoing as emergency responders continue efforts to locate, extricate and evacuate any persons who may still be trapped beneath the debris,” she said.
Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the collapse, while rescue efforts continue at the site.
