Tragedy narrowly averted on Modupeola Street, Mangoro, Alimosho, as six individuals, including one trapped victim, were successfully rescued on Wednesday evening following the collapse of a two-storey building. The incident, which occurred around 6 pm, has once again cast a shadow of concern over the safety of residential structures in Lagos State.
The swift response of the Lagos State Emergency Management Authority (LASEMA) and other dedicated first responders was crucial in averting a greater catastrophe. As confirmed by the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, via his Instagram, operations were immediately mobilized upon receiving the distress call.
“A two-storey building has collapsed at 4, Modupeola Street, Mangoro bus stop, Alimosho, Lagos State,” Omotoso stated. “The cause of the incident, which occurred around 6 p.m., was not immediately known.”
The immediate priority was the safe extraction of those caught in the collapse. Reports confirm that a trapped victim, along with five other individuals, were pulled from the rubble by the diligent rescue teams. While five of the rescued were taken to a nearby private hospital for immediate assessment, the trapped victim, who sustained a fracture and bruises, was transported by the Lagos State Ambulance Service to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital Surgical Emergency. Thankfully, the victim arrived in a stable condition and has been admitted for further treatment. The 44-year-old patient was identified as a resident of 10, Olabode Street, Alimosho.
This latest incident serves as a stark reminder of the persistent issue of building collapses in Lagos. It follows closely on the heels of another tragic event just two weeks prior, where four lives were lost in the collapse of a three-storey building on Bornu Street, Ebute Meta. Earlier this year, in July, four people had a miraculous escape when a three-storey building crumbled on Adeniji-Adele Road in the Isale Eko area.
These recurrent collapses are fueling renewed calls for stricter enforcement of building regulations and robust oversight of construction practices across the state. The safety of residents must be paramount, and comprehensive measures are urgently needed to prevent further loss of life and property due to structural failures.
While the rescue of six individuals from the Modupeola Street collapse offers a moment of relief, it also amplifies the pressing need for proactive solutions and unwavering commitment to safer building standards in Lagos. Investigations into the cause of this latest collapse have been launched by government officials, aiming to shed light on the circumstances and prevent future occurrences.
