By correspondent in Lagos.
Lagos State government reports that the death toll from the collapsed two-storey building at Arowojobe Estate, Maryland, has risen to five.
Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, Permanent Secretary,Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), who provided the update, added that the initial response early Thursday at 3:40 a.m. led to the rescue of three victims.
During the search and rescue operation, two more male adults were stabilized and transferred to the hospital.
“The first three victims were taken to Gbagada General Hospital,” Oke-Osanyintolu said. “The other two victims were ferried to the Trauma Center at Gbagada after being stabilized.”
Four adult male victims who were recovered deceased have been handed over to the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU) for further processing. An additional male fatality was recently recovered, bringing the total number of deaths to five adult males, with five rescued individuals.
The collapsed building, a set of three terraces under construction, prompted an alert at 01:55hrs on Thursday. Margaret Adeseye, Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, confirmed that eight people have been rescued so far, with five alive and transported to the hospital for medical treatment. Sadly, three individuals were recovered deceased.
Search and rescue operations are ongoing, and further updates will be provided.
“Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragic event,” Adeseye said.
