TWO DEAD, 25 RESCUED IN LAGOS BUILDING COLLAPSE
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BY MUNIRAT BALOGUN
LAGOS — Tragedy struck in the early hours of Monday when a two-storey residential building collapsed at No. 49 Coates Street, off Oyingbo Road, Ebute Metta, Lagos, leaving at least two people dead and several others injured. The incident, which occurred around 12:20 a.m., trapped many residents who were asleep when the structure gave way.
Emergency agencies, including the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, the National Emergency Management Agency, the Lagos State Building Control Agency and the police, were swiftly mobilised to the scene. According to the Fire Service, operatives from the Sari Iganmu Fire Station arrived within nine minutes of receiving the distress call and immediately commenced rescue operations.
The Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, confirmed that two persons — a man and an elderly woman — lost their lives, while 25 others, including men, women and children, were rescued from the rubble. Those rescued were taken to nearby medical facilities such as the Federal Medical Centre, Ebute Metta, and the General Hospital, Lagos Island, for treatment.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the collapsed structure had earlier been marked as distressed by the Lagos State Building Control Agency. Officials said visible cracks and structural weaknesses had been observed before the incident, and the building was reportedly slated for demolition before it caved in. The General Manager of LASBCA, Gbolahan Oki, said the agency is investigating possible causes, including the use of substandard materials, unauthorised renovations and ignored demolition warnings.
The affected site has been cordoned off to ensure safety, while rescue operations continued late into Monday morning to confirm that no occupants remained trapped. Dr Oke-Osanyintolu added that all emergency responders are working together to ensure complete evacuation and recovery, while surrounding buildings are being assessed for structural integrity.
Incidents of building collapse have become frequent in Lagos, often blamed on poor construction practices, old structures and weak enforcement of safety regulations. In recent years, the state government has intensified efforts to demolish distressed structures and prosecute erring property owners to curb the recurring menace. Authorities have now urged residents of nearby buildings to evacuate temporarily while integrity tests are conducted to prevent further casualties.
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