Lagos building collapse: 50 children rescued from debris as LASEMA confirms incident

Lagos building collapse: 50 children rescued from debris as LASEMA confirms incident

Authorities have rescued at least 50 children so far from a three-storeyed building which collapsed in the Itafaji area of Lagos Island.

Emergency rescue agencies such as the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), as well as security personnel are currently on ground at the scene of the incident.

The police, army and National Security and Civil Defence Force, NSCDC, are also making contributions with rescue operations.

The number of casualties is, however, yet to be determined.

The building, situated at Massey Street at the Adeniji Adele area of Lagos Island caved in at about 9:45 am on Wednesday.

Speaking to AKB on the development, Adebayo Kehinde of the LASEMA Public Affairs Unit, said, “The incident occurred at about 10.30 am today regarding a three-storyed building that collapsed at the above address.

“The search and rescue operation is presently ongoing with so many victims rescued alive from the collapsed building through combined efforts of LASEMA and other emergency responders such as the Lagos State Ambulance Service, Lagos State Fire Service, Lagos State Building Control Agency, Federal Fire Service. Others include National Emergency Management Agency, Nigeria Police Force, Rapid Response Squad, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. Nigeria Red Cross Society, Lagos State Neighborhood and Safety Corps.

“The exercise is being coordinated by the General Manager Lagos State Emergency Management Agency Mr Adesina Tiamiyu with the deployment of heavy and light rescue equipment from LASEMA and its stakeholders.”