LASEMA Launches Search and Rescue Operation as Investigation into Cause of Collapse Begins
A three-storey building collapsed in the Lekki area of Lagos on Wednesday, leaving two people dead and six others injured. The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, confirmed the incident in a statement, noting that the cause of the collapse is yet to be determined.
According to Oke-Osanyintolu, two adult males were recovered dead from the rubble, while six seriously injured individuals were rescued and provided immediate medical care by the LASEMA Response Unit (LRU) Pre-Hospital Care Team. The injured were subsequently transported to Marina General Hospital for further treatment.
LASEMA’s Response Teams have commenced a Search and Rescue Operation at the scene, with heavy-duty equipment, including an excavator, deployed to assist in the efforts. The agency is coordinating with other stakeholders to ensure an effective response to the incident.
“Further investigations will be conducted to ascertain the immediate cause of the collapse,” Oke-Osanyintolu stated.
The collapse has raised concerns about building safety standards in Lagos, a city that has witnessed several similar incidents in recent years. Authorities are under pressure to enforce stricter regulations to prevent such tragedies in the future.
As rescue operations continue, the focus remains on recovering any additional victims and providing support to those affected. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of adhering to construction codes and ensuring the structural integrity of buildings to safeguard lives.