Bodies of two children of same parents have been recovered while nine others were rescued alive, weekend, at the scene of a collapsed three-storey building at No 20, Freeman Street, Lagos Island area of Lagos State.
The incident occurred at about 4.05 am as the building was said to have suffered total collapse leaving 10 occupants including two children trapped as they were fast asleep.
The immediate neighbours of the victims were said to have alerted emergency responders for search and rescue.work.
It was gathered that on arrival, the first victim to be recovered was a male child and as the exercise continued, all the occupants were rescued although both children were recovered dead while nine adults including the parents of the children were rescued alive and medical treatment was administered on them by Lagos State Ambulance Services (LASSMBUS) immediately, while the casualties were deposited at a morgue.
The former occupants of the building, it was learnt, have all vacated the building when they noticed its distressed nature but the quest for monetary gains led the developer to.let it out to a new set of 10 tenants including two children who were all trapped in the collapsed building.
However, nine of them were rescued alive while both children were recovered dead.
Early this morning, sympathizers defied the social distancing order and trooped to the scene not minding the presence of law enforcement agents.
Eye witnesses’ account alleged that the developer brought in the victims assuring them that the building would be renovated, unfortunately, the building collapsed under renovation.
As at the time of filing this report, search and rescue operation has been completed. However, the clearing of debris was being carried out by Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Lagos State Ministry Of Physical planning, Nigeria Police and other relevant agencies.
Commenting on the development, Director-General, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu said investigations will be conducted to unravel the cause of the incident.
Similarly, the Director, Lagos State Operation of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye enjoined occupants of distressed building to vacate them in order to avoid future occurrence.
- Advertisement -
