Two Dead, 28 Rescued as Two-Storey Building Collapses in Lagos

Tragedy struck in the early hours of Monday when a two-storey building collapsed at 49 Coates Street, off Oyingbo Road, Lagos, leaving two people dead and 28 others rescued from the rubble.

According to the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service (LSFRS), the agency received a distress call around 12:20 a.m., and responders from the Sari Iganmu Fire Station arrived at the scene within nine minutes to commence rescue operations.

The Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) Director, Beatrice Makinde, confirmed the deaths of a man and an elderly woman. A resident told reporters that he was startled awake by a loud cracking sound moments before the building gave way. Another resident claimed that a visitor who arrived late Sunday night remained unaccounted for, though officials have yet to confirm this.

Teams from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), LASAMBUS, Fire Service, Nigerian Police, and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) joined forces at the site, deploying heavy equipment to dig through the debris in search of trapped occupants.

LASEMA’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, stated that rescue efforts would continue until all victims were found. He added that investigations were underway to determine whether the collapse was caused by structural fatigue or the use of substandard materials, warning that those responsible would face prosecution.

Residents disclosed that the building had previously been marked for demolition by the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) due to visible structural defects. However, the owner allegedly ignored repeated warnings and proceeded with illegal renovations. Some tenants reportedly vacated the property after observing cracks, while others remained until the tragedy occurred.

Emergency officials provided medical assistance, water, and temporary relief supplies to displaced residents. Authorities also advised members of the public to stay away from the area to facilitate rescue operations.

LSFRS Controller General, Margaret Adeseye, confirmed that 15 victims, comprising seven men, four women, and four children, had been rescued with various degrees of injuries and taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Ebute Meta, and Lagos Island General Hospital. She noted that the collapsed building had earlier been declared unsafe but continued to be occupied.

“It is an ongoing rescue involving a two-storey building that had previously been marked distressed before collapsing on its occupants,” Adeseye said, assuring that all emergency agencies were fully mobilised to ensure that everyone trapped was accounted for.