Lagos Collapsed Building: Two Dies, Several Injured

By Akinwale Kasali

It was a black Wednesday for residents of Gafaru Balogun Street, Ogudu, Lagos State. A building collapsed leading to the death of two kids.  Over 10 people severely injured.

The magazine gathered that the unfortunate incident occurred at 46, Gafari Balogun Street Ogudu, around 12:30pm .

The collapse of the building, the magazine gathered, was as a result of mudslide which was occasioned by heavy downpour in that area of lagos recently.

According to the Director-General (DG) Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu,  two children were extricated from the rubble of the collapsed structure after residents raised an alarm that they were missing.

“The mudslide hit the building from the rear leading to the kids- a boy and a girl- being trapped,” Osanyitolu said.

Some of those who sustained injuries were treated on the spot and discharged, adding that the scene has been cordoned off.

Osanyitolu stressed that, “The LRT received a distress call at 12:40pm about a collapsed building at 46, Gafari Balogun Street Ogudu. On arrival at the scene by agency responders, it was observed that a building collapsed as a result of a mudslide at the rear of the building caused by heavy rainfall.

“The agents were informed that two children, one male and one female were trapped and immediately commenced a search and rescue operation.

“Unfortunately, they were found dead and their remains have been transported to the mortuary. Ten people sustained various degrees of injuries and some were treated on the spot.

“Integrity test will be carried out on the remainder of the building which has now been cordoned off.”

In another development, Dr Osanyitolu  said LASEMA officials also responded to a distress call at Ibiye Bus Stop, Morogbo, along Lagos-Badagry Expressway where a tanker laden with kerosene fell and spilled its content.

The 45,000 capacity tanker was said to have blocked the road causing standstill of motor traffic along the busy road with fears of a fire outbreak should there be a trigger.

The DG said his men were quickly deployed to the scene where an empty tanker and tow truck were brought in to trans-load the kerosene and take the fallen truck off the road.