The death toll from the collapse of a three-storey shopping complex in the Alakija area of Lagos has risen to nine.
Earlier, Margaret Adeseye, controller-general of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, had said two people died in the incident and 16 people were pulled alive from the debris.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) said on Friday that 26 persons have been rescued alive from the rubble, while search-and-rescue operations are ongoing.
The building, located along Old Ojo Road in the Ori-Ade Local Council Development Area (LCDA), collapsed on Thursday, trapping several occupants.
Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, permanent secretary of LASEMA, said emergency responders have entered a critical phase of the operation as efforts continue to reach “ground zero”.
“We have deployed sophisticated equipment, including both heavy-duty and light-duty machinery,” he said.
Oke-Osanyintolu said all emergency response agencies in the state have been mobilised to the scene to support the operation.
All first responders in Lagos State are on the ground, and rescue efforts are continuing,” he added.
The LASEMA boss said more survivors could still be found beneath the debris.
“With the technology and manpower at our disposal, we remain hopeful. If there is anyone alive beneath the debris, that person will be rescued,” he said.
He added that rescue efforts would continue until responders reach the base of the collapsed structure.
We will continue until we reach ground zero. The operation is still ongoing, and we are deploying additional machinery to the site. More equipment is being moved from our Ijora base to ensure we work effectively and efficiently throughout the night and into tomorrow morning,” he said.
The operation involves LASEMA, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), private sector partners, and the Local Emergency Management Committee.
Authorities are yet to determine the cause of the building collapse.
