A tragic incident occurred on Saturday morning in Lagos State as a two-storey building collapsed on Oremeta Street, in the Ojodu-Berger area, claiming one life and trapping several others beneath the rubble.

According to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), 13 victims were rescued, while one fatality was confirmed at the scene.

Chaos in Ojodu Berger as Building Collapses

The building, which housed a local restaurant, reportedly collapsed around 8 a.m., causing panic among residents and passersby.

Eyewitnesses said the structure had been under construction prior to the collapse. One resident, who spoke anonymously to our correspondent, revealed that workers had just arrived when the building gave way.

“(The) cause of the collapsed building has yet to be ascertained as of the time of writing this report,”
— Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, South-West Coordinator, NEMA.

“Twelve victims have been rescued, one adult dead,” he added.

Rescue Efforts Continue as LASEMA Assures Ground Zero Access

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) urged residents to remain calm and allow emergency responders to carry out operations efficiently.

“A two-storey building collapsed; we’ve activated the Lagos State Emergency response plan under the watch of the Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu… and the operation is ongoing,”
— Damilola Oke-Osanyitolu, Permanent Secretary, LASEMA.

“We’re working with all the local people and primary responders. We’re on top of the situation. The governor is aware and coordinating the response plan,” he added.

Oke-Osanyitolu emphasized the agency’s commitment to reaching “ground zero” to locate any remaining victims still trapped beneath the structure.

Residents Blame Construction Work for Structural Failure

While the official cause is still under investigation, some residents attributed the collapse to unauthorized or improper construction work.

A local resident claimed that an extra floor had recently been added to the structure without proper engineering supervision.

“The engineer did not do the right thing… The engineer who was working on the building should have started from the ground floor, not on the decking,” the resident said.

He also expressed concern over the equipment used in the rescue operation.

“What they are using is not the right machine… They should bring a better machine that can remove the concrete without injuring the people underneath.”

At the time of this report, rescue efforts were ongoing as emergency personnel continued to clear the rubble.