October 30, (THEWILL) — A building demolition turned tragic on Thursday in Lagos when a three-storey structure collapsed in the Ajegunle area of Apapa, leaving one worker dead and eight others rescued from beneath the rubble.
The incident occurred at Baale Alayabiagba Street around 11:09 a.m. while manual demolition was ongoing.
Witnesses said the building, which also had a penthouse, suddenly caved in, trapping labourers who were working at the site.
Officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), led by its Permanent Secretary, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, swiftly mobilised to the scene after a distress call was received.
While rescue workers raced against time to pull survivors out of the debris, eight adult male workers were brought out alive and immediately attended to by paramedics from the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) before being moved to Ajeromi General Hospital for further medical care.
Unfortunately, one male worker was found dead, despite frantic efforts to save all those trapped. His identity has not been disclosed pending notification of his family.
The incident drew a heavy presence of emergency responders, including the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the police, and the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC).
Preliminary reports indicate the collapse occurred during manual demolition, raising questions about whether safety standards and approved methods were strictly followed. Residents in the community described hearing a loud crash followed by desperate cries for help.
LASEMA confirmed that a full investigation has commenced to determine the cause of the collapse and whether the appropriate demolition approvals, procedures and safety measures were adhered to.
This building collapse comes barely days after a similar three-storey structure went down in Lagos Island, heightening concerns about construction standards and demolition practices across the state.
Authorities have reiterated the need for strict compliance with construction and demolition regulations, urging developers and contractors to prioritise worker safety and structural integrity at all times.
Emergency officials said clearance operations at the site continued through the afternoon to ensure no additional victims remained trapped, while law enforcement secured the area for further investigation.
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