Nine escape death as Lagos building sinks after heavy rain (plus photos)

Nine persons trapped a in sinking one-storey building in the Maryland area of Lagos State have been rescued.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) confirmed this on Monday, adding that the affected house is located at 47 Akinwunmi Street, Akinwunmi North Estate Mende, Maryland, Ikeja, was found to be sinking after a torrential four-hour rain.

 

NEMA’s Public Relations Officer in the South-West Region, Ibrahim Farinloye, said the agency received an alert about the sinking building where nine people were trapped.

He said the heavy rain on Monday morning that lasted for about four hours flooded many communities in Lagos.

Farinoye said, “NEMA advance team close observations called for more reinforcement of personnel. One of the trapped victims, Ms Blessing disclosed that they are up to none people mostly women that are trapped.

“The landlord of the building had use ladder to escape but NEMA questioned him for failure to contact emergency responders but someone from one of the trapped victims’ office contacted NEMA. The agencies now at place are LASEMA, State Fire Service and Police Disaster Management Unit. Rescue activities have commence.”