A devastating building collapse in the Arowojobe Estate, Maryland, Lagos, has resulted in the death of three site workers, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed on Thursday. The incident occurred at No. 13 Wilson Mba Street in the early hours of the morning, as a set of three terraces under construction gave way, leading to the tragic loss of life.
The distress call came in at 3:49 AM, prompting an immediate response from LASEMA’s team, who arrived on the scene by 3:58 AM. Emergency responders faced a chaotic scene as the partially constructed terraces had collapsed, burying several workers under the rubble. The search and rescue operation, involving LASEMA and the Lagos State Fire Service, was swift and intense.
Among the six men on site, three were found dead, while two were rescued alive. One individual was trapped but successfully extricated by the combined efforts of the rescue teams. The survivors are receiving pre-hospital care at the site.
Authorities have mobilized additional resources, including an excavator from LASEMA, to expedite the search and rescue operations. The State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit has been notified to handle the remains of the deceased.
As the investigation into the cause of the collapse continues, there are growing concerns about safety standards and construction practices in the area. The incident underscores the urgent need for stringent regulations and oversight to prevent such tragedies in the future.
