Lagos building collapse: 4 dead, 3 rescued, many trapped, owner arrested

Three persons have so far been rescued while four others were brought out dead from the rubbles at the 21-storey building collapse on Gerard Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye, South West Zonal Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) disclosed this in Lagos on Monday.

Many are still trapped.

NEMA team and that of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) are still on ground trying to rescue trapped workers.

The building which is under construction caved in at about 3p.m.

The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, in the company of other state functionaries, including the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Idris Salako; Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr. Bamgbose- Martins; Special Adviser on Urban Development,  Mr. Ganiyu Adele Ayuba; Special Adviser,  GIS and Physical Planning, Dr. Olajide Babatunde; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mrs. Abiola Kosegbe as well as General Manager,  Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, were at the scene to muster help for people trapped in the collapsed building.

On arrival at the scene, the Deputy Governor instructed that immediate investigation should be conducted by government agencies in the built environment, just as he directed that the location be cordoned off to facilitate rescue efforts and prevent onlookers from moving within close proximity of the site.

As part of investigations, the General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Arch. Gbolahan Oki was also at the scene to conduct an on-the-spot assessment of any likely damage to the surrounding structures within the vicinity.

Meanwhile, Oki has said that the owner of the collapsed 21-storey building was given approval to construct only 15 floors.

Oki told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone that the owner of the property has been arrested and would face the law because people have died in the disaster.

“He got an approval for a 15-storey building and he exceeded his limit. I am on ground here and the materials he used are so inferior and terrible.

“The materials he used, the reinforcement, are so terrible. He got approval for 15 floors but built 21.

“I think he has been locked down. He has been arrested before now,” he said.

The GM said four people were rescued alive and three people died, adding that rescue efforts were still ongoing.

“We are still here and have four machines working as at this moment,” he said.

At least 50 people are reportedly trapped under the rubble.

The building, located at 20, Gerrard Road, collapsed at about 3p.m. on Monday.