Eight Workers Survive as Four-Storey Building Collapses in Lagos

Eight Workers Survive as Four-Storey Building Collapses in Lagos

By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News

Tragedy was narrowly averted on Friday evening when a four-storey building under construction collapsed in Alagomeji, Ebute-Metta, Lagos, trapping eight workers under the rubble.

The incident, which occurred around 8 pm, sent shockwaves through the neighbourhood as residents reported hearing loud cracks moments before the structure came crashing down.

Workers Rescued Alive

Akahi News gathered that all eight workers—adult males on site at the time—were rescued alive after a tense and painstaking operation. Emergency responders confirmed the victims sustained varying degrees of injuries, with some requiring intensive medical care.

“They were lucky to have been pulled out alive. We feared the worst when it came down,” an eyewitness told journalists at the scene.

Heroic Rescue Efforts

The Lagos State Fire Service, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), and other emergency responders worked tirelessly to free the trapped men.

Rescue teams deployed heavy equipment to lift slabs of concrete while ensuring the unstable structure did not collapse further.

“We were worried that the building might collapse again, but the rescue team did an amazing job. They risked their lives to save others,” a resident recounted.

After several hours of coordinated efforts, all trapped workers were safely evacuated to the relief of onlookers and colleagues.

Investigation Underway

Ogabi Olajide, Deputy Controller General of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, confirmed the incident occurred at 333 Borno Way, Alagomeji, Ebute-Metta, and assured that a full-scale investigation had commenced to ascertain the cause.

Experts say the incident underscores the dangers posed by poor construction practices, substandard materials, and weak enforcement of building regulations in Lagos—a city that has witnessed a series of similar tragedies in recent years.

Residents and safety advocates are now calling for stricter oversight and tougher penalties for developers flouting safety standards to prevent future disasters.

Akahi News http://www.akahinews.org

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