Search and rescue operations are continuing at the scene of a collapsed three-storey building in Lagos, with emergency responders expressing hope that more survivors can still be pulled from the rubble.
The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Mr. Oke-Osanyintolu, provided an update during an interview on Newsnight, confirming that rescue efforts remain in full swing with personnel working around the clock.
According to him, emergency responders have so far rescued 27 people alive, while nine bodies, including that of a baby girl, have been recovered from the debris.
"The operation is still ongoing. We have deployed sophisticated equipment, heavy-duty machinery and light-duty equipment to ensure effective rescue operations. As of noon today, we have rescued 27 people alive and recovered nine bodies, including a baby girl. The search and rescue operation is still ongoing," he said.
Mr. Oke-Osanyintolu emphasized that authorities remain optimistic about finding more survivors trapped beneath the rubble, citing the advanced technology and manpower deployed to the site.
"With the technology and the manpower at our disposal, we believe that if there is anybody alive in the debris, that person will definitely be rescued," he stated.
The rescue mission has drawn support from multiple emergency and security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), multinational companies and members of the Local Emergency Management Committee.
He noted that the operation is being coordinated under the supervision of Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, with additional heavy equipment being mobilized to sustain rescue efforts throughout the night and into the following day.
"We are deploying more machinery to the site to ensure we work effectively and efficiently throughout the night until tomorrow morning. We are committed to seeing this operation through to the very end," he added.
The collapsed structure has been identified as a three-storey commercial building that housed several shops in a busy shopping district.
However, authorities said it remains impossible to determine exactly how many people were inside the building at the time of the collapse because of the high volume of customers and traders that frequent the area.
"You cannot ascertain the number of people who were there because it is a commercial area a shopping mall. That is why there are conflicting figures," Mr. Oke-Osanyintolu explained.
He appealed to the public to remain calm and avoid speculation, assuring residents that emergency responders are doing everything possible to locate and rescue anyone still trapped.
"The most important thing is that people should not panic. We will do everything humanly possible to conduct our search and rescue operation effectively and rescue those trapped," he said.
When asked whether preliminary investigations had revealed the cause of the collapse, the LASEMA Permanent Secretary declined to speculate, stressing that the immediate priority is saving lives.
"Our focus now is on search and rescue. After that, we will conduct a thorough investigation and answer every question regarding the cause of the collapse," he said.
Authorities have assured Lagos residents that a comprehensive investigation will commence once rescue operations are concluded to determine the circumstances that led to the tragic incident and establish accountability where necessary.
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