One person was killed while two others sustained injuries when a two-storey building being demolished collapsed in the Alimosho area of Lagos State on Thursday.
The structure, located at No. 42, Governors Road, Aboru, reportedly gave way while workers were manually pulling it down, trapping some of them under the debris.
The incident happened in the early hours of Thursday, prompting the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency to activate its Alpha Eagle Response Team from the Cappa-Oshodi base at about 12:56am.
Emergency officials quickly cordoned off the area and began rescue operations after receiving a distress call concerning the collapse.
The rescue effort involved personnel from LASEMA, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and the Lagos State Ambulance Service, who worked together to search through the rubble.
Two adult men were eventually pulled out alive and given first aid by LASAMBUS personnel before they were transported to a nearby medical facility for further treatment.
However, one other man was found dead beneath the wreckage, according to LASEMA.
The Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, expressed sympathy to the family of the deceased and urged property owners and developers to comply with safety regulations during construction and demolition.
He said, “We urge members of the public and developers to adhere strictly to building regulations and to engage only certified professionals for demolition and construction activities.”
Oke-Osanyintolu also urged residents to report buildings or demolition activities suspected to be unsafe through the 767 and 112 emergency lines, while security agencies and community leaders assisted responders in securing access to the scene.
