Reports say about 10 people have died and 24 injured in the collapse of a three-storey building in Ebute Metta area of Lagos State, one of Nigeria’s most populated cities, with over 14 million residents.
Current situation
First responders, national and sub-national emergency agencies, are combing the rubble to ensure they bring out every individual trapped in the collapsed building.
State of play
Building’s collapse has been occurring at a worrisome rate in Africa’s most populous country. The most recent was in January when a church collapsed in Asaba, Delta State, killing three people.
- Only Lagos State in 2021 recorded five of these incidents, including one towards the end of the year where a building under construction collapsed, killing over 40 people in the process.
What they are saying
Director of the Lagos State fire and rescue service, Margaret Adeseye, speaking on Monday said the first and major responders are still working at the accident scene to mop it up. She confirmed the death of 10 victims with 24 others with various degrees of injuries.
Meanwhile
President Muhammadu Buhari has urged relevant authorities to check the alarming rate of building collapse in the country. He also expressed condolences to the victims of the incident.
Reactions
Nigerians are accusing Nigerian authorities of not enforcing building regulations to ensure safer structures in the country.
- The Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON) is Nigeria’s licensed construction authority with the responsibility of regulating building’s construction in the country.