One dies, two persons rescued and many feared trapped in the collapsed Lagos building.
By Emma Ogbuehi
Impacts of the four-hour rainfall in Lagos on Saturday, are beginning to be felt, following reports a collapsed building at the Island axis of the state in which one person is reported dead.
Channels Television reports that a building located at 4, Alayaki Lane, Lagos Island, collapsed in Lagos on Saturday during heavy rainfall, killing at least one person. Two persons were rescued from the debris, with many feared trapped.
The Station quoted the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency as indicating that an unconfirmed number of people were still trapped under the rubble.
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“The Agency responded to the above incident which was already in violation of building safety protocols,” a statement signed by LASEMA’s Director-General, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said.
“It was discovered that the building had been captured by the LASBCA District Office and served with all Statutory Notices, Sealed at District and Central Enforcement Level.
“Further investigation determined that the developer had continued clandestine operations mostly at night and at the weekends.
“An unconfirmed number of people are still trapped inside the building. Two people have been rescued alive while another was recovered dead. Search and Rescue operations ongoing. Further updates to follow.”
Building collapse is not uncommon in Lagos due to lax regulatory oversight and sharp practices by developers.
In November a high-rise block of luxury flats under construction collapsed in the Ikoyi area of the state, killing at least 40 people.
In February, a building under construction collapsed in the Yaba area of the state, trapping some workers.
Earlier this month, no fewer than 10 persons were confirmed dead after a three-storey building collapsed in the Ebute Metta area of the State.
In response, the state authorities have set up panels to investigate the causes of the collapsed buildings and make recommendations. Incidentally, those reports hardly see the lights of the day, nor does the full weight of the law brought on the errant owners of the buildings.
