A septuagenarian and a teenager were among the five people rescued yesterday from the rubble of a collapsed three-storey building at Odunfa Street, Lagos Island.
Emergency workers drawn from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and their state counterpart, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), pulled out the survivors from underneath the debris.
Other responders at the scene were the police, army, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), federal and state fire service, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), and Lagos Road Safety Commission.
While four people were first rescued by noon, the last person to be rescued, which turned out a septuagenarian, was brought out at 2 pm, five hours after the building caved in.
While four people were first rescued by noon, the last person to be rescued, which turned out a septuagenarian, was brought out at 2 pm, five hours after the building caved in.
Immediately she was rescued, the septuagenarian was placed on a stretcher and administered oxygen to assist her breathing while she was conveyed to a standby Lagos State ambulance service.
At press time, the identities of the survivors and inhabitants of the collapsed building, which caved in at 9.30 am, trapping all its occupants, were yet to be disclosed.
At press time, the identities of the survivors and inhabitants of the collapsed building, which caved in at 9.30 am, trapping all its occupants, were yet to be disclosed.
Although rescue workers dug in, there were fears that so many other persons were still trapped in the rubble given that the caved building was a residential block with many flats.
According to eyewitness accounts, the building had not given any sign before its sudden collapse, leaving all perplexed as to the cause.
Eyewitnesses said the collapse was preceded by a loud bang and then a crack, before the building crumbled like a pack of badly stacked cards.
Eyewitnesses said the collapse was preceded by a loud bang and then a crack, before the building crumbled like a pack of badly stacked cards.
Speaking on the incident, the South-west spokesperson of NEMA, Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye, said emergency workers responded immediately.
Although he could not confirm the casualty rate, he said many people were feared trapped underneath the rubble, even as the rescue team continued to search the rubble.
Although he could not confirm the casualty rate, he said many people were feared trapped underneath the rubble, even as the rescue team continued to search the rubble.
He said: “Four people were first rescued alive, and then later another person. No death has been recorded so far. The search continues until we are sure nobody is underneath the rubble.
”Some of the survivors include an elderly woman and a boy of about 15 years so far. They have all been rushed to the General Hospital on Lagos Island and are currently being treated in the emergency unit.”
Also, the Lagos Police Public Relations Officer, Joseph Offor, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, said policemen were deployed to cordon off the entire area.
Also, the Lagos Police Public Relations Officer, Joseph Offor, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, said policemen were deployed to cordon off the entire area.
He said this was to prevent hoodlums from capitalising on the unfortunate incident to steal, while also providing rescuers with a conducive environment to carry out their operations without hitches.
LASEMA’s General Manager, Michael Akindele, said they were not able to ascertain the number of occupants in the building.
”We cannot say if people are trapped or not because we have not gotten to ground zero. But so far, five persons have been rescued and we are still working.
LASEMA’s General Manager, Michael Akindele, said they were not able to ascertain the number of occupants in the building.
”We cannot say if people are trapped or not because we have not gotten to ground zero. But so far, five persons have been rescued and we are still working.
“All agencies responded in good time and we are doing everything possible to ensure lives and properties are saved,” he said.
credit; Thisday news
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