Update: Seven rescued, one missing in Lagos seven-storey building collapse

Update: Seven rescued, one missing in Lagos seven-storey building collapse

Seven persons have been rescued from a seven-storey building under construction that collapsed on Wednesday in the Banana Island area of Ikoyi, Lagos State.

One other person among those working on the building project is still missing as emergency responders continued their search and rescue efforts at the building site.

The high-rise building was said to have suddenly caved in around 4.58pm on Wednesday while construction workers were on duty.

Some of the workers at the site reportedly escaped unhurt, a number of others sustained varying degrees of injury, some other workers got trapped beneath the rubble of the collapsed structure.

General Manager, Lagos State Fire Service, Margaret Adeseye, said no fewer than seven persons were rescued with varying degrees of injury, adding that one person was still trapped.

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He said, “The seven-storey building that collapsed is one out of the three high-rise structures under construction. The other two nine-storey are still standing.

“Seven persons were rescued alive with varying degrees of injury, while one person is still trapped as search-and-rescue operations are still ongoing until ground zero is achieved. An investigation has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the collapse.”

Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, in a statement, said no approval was given for the construction of the collapsed structure.

The ministry’s Deputy Director, Public Affairs, Mukaila Sanusi, in the statement, said an investigation had commenced into the incident.

The statement read, “An unapproved seven-floor building under construction has collapsed in Banana Island, Lagos State, this evening.

“Few who sustained injuries are being treated. There is no fatality. This unfortunate incident happened while casting was being done.

“The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Tayo Bamgbose-Martins, was immediately on site to assess the situation and flag off the investigation. We ask members of the public to remain calm and expect further information from the ministry as we know more.”

Update: Seven rescued, one missing in Lagos seven-storey building collapse