The death toll from the collapse of a three-storey shopping complex in the Alakija area along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway has risen to eight, including an infant girl, while 26 people have been rescued alive.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed the latest casualty figures on Thursday, saying search and rescue operations were still ongoing at the scene.
LASEMA Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said emergency responders had continued to comb through the rubble in search of more victims.
“As of 4:20 p.m., a total of 26 persons have been rescued alive, while eight fatalities have been recorded, including a baby girl. Search and rescue operations remain ongoing, and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available,” he said.
The building, which housed several shops and business premises, collapsed earlier on Thursday, triggering the activation of the state’s emergency response system.
According to Oke-Osanyintolu, a multi-agency rescue operation involving LASEMA, the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, and other emergency responders commenced shortly after the incident was reported.
He disclosed that two victims were initially rescued alive, while the body of an adult male was recovered during the early stages of the operation. Rescue teams also deployed heavy-duty equipment, including an excavator, to speed up access to trapped victims.
Authorities said there were indications that more people, including shop owners who had resumed business activities, could still be trapped beneath the debris.
Earlier, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service reported that 16 people had been rescued and two bodies recovered before LASEMA later confirmed the updated casualty figures.
Controller General of the agency, Margaret Adeseye, said emergency personnel remained at the site, working to account for all victims and secure the area.
LASEMA urged residents to stay away from the scene to allow rescue workers unrestricted access as efforts continue.
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