Posted by By Godwin Ifijeh on
No fewer than nine persons were rescued alive in Lagos, from the debris of a three-storey building, which collapsed early yesterday in central Lagos.
No fewer than nine persons were rescued alive in Lagos, from the debris of a three-storey building, which collapsed early yesterday in central Lagos.
The incident, involving a building at No 6, Princess Street, off Adeniji Adele, Idumagbo, in Lagos Island, occurred yesterday morning and left many of the residents trapped.
Rescue operation involving the Fire Service, Police, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the Lagos State Ambulance Services, and a host of other agencies, had commenced in earnest, making it possible to rescue nine people alive immediately.
But neighbours still insisted as at press time that more people were likely to still be trapped under the rubbles.
Eyewitnesses said the building unexpectedly gave way, trapping some of the occupants, who were still at home as at the time. They were thankful to God that it occured on a Sunday, when many traders, operating shops in the building were not around.
Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu, was at the scene yesterday evening, in company of some members of his cabinet , including Commissioners for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Health, Leke Pitan and Environment , Tunji Bello, while rescue operation was still on.
Tinubu, who said the rescue exercise would continue until it was proven that nobody was left trapped under the debris, assured that the incident would be thoroughly investigated, to determine its cause.
He, however, warned those building houses without the approval of competent authorities to desist, saying the government will no longer tolerate violation of town planning rules, because of the danger posed to innocent tenants.
Contacted last night, Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Olabode Ojajuni, confirmed the rescue of the nine persons, stating that while no casualty had so far been recorded, rescuing operation, involving the police, LASTMA, Fire Service and other agencies was continuing. He said the building collapsed yesterday morning and the cause was not yet ascertained.Yesterday's collapse of the Lagos building followed such two incidents in PortHarcourt, which claimed over 40 lives in the last few weeks.