A devastating incident occurred in Ikorodu, Lagos State, on May 27, where an incomplete two-storey building suddenly collapsed, trapping many individuals feared to be inside the rubble. The building, which was still under construction, gave way in the afternoon, causing panic and urgent rescue efforts to commence.
The incident took place in the Ota-Ona area of Ikorodu, specifically in front of the Mobil Filling Station (formerly known as Bugon Filling Station).
Social media user Rasheed Fatuga was among the first to raise the alarm on Facebook, alerting both residents and emergency responders about the devastating event.
Fatuga’s post described the harrowing scene, emphasizing the urgency of the rescue efforts and the uncertainty surrounding the exact number of people trapped beneath the debris.
As of the latest updates, rescue teams have successfully pulled out five survivors from the wreckage. However, the search and rescue operations are ongoing, with emergency responders working tirelessly to locate and extricate any other victims who may still be trapped under the collapsed building.
This tragic event echoes a similar incident that happened just a few days prior in the same Ikorodu area. Mr. Daniel Obasi, a landlord and pastor, lost his life when his own two-storey building under construction collapsed on Tapa Road, Oke Ojo Isawo. The incident occurred around 2:30 p.m. and brought further distress to the community already shaken by recent structural failures.
Authorities have been actively involved in managing the aftermath of these incidents. Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye, the Southwest Zonal Coordinator for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), provided critical updates on the current rescue mission.
He revealed that the police transferred the body of the deceased pastor to the Ikorodu General Hospital morgue for further investigation and post-mortem examination.
Farinloye also shed light on the structural context of the collapsed building, noting that it was an extension or attachment to a larger main building located right in front of the collapsed section. This detail is important as it may influence the complexity and scope of the rescue operation.
Crucially, Mr. Farinloye attributed the cause of the collapse primarily to poor construction practices. Specifically, he pointed out that insufficient time was allowed for the sand-filled land beneath the building to compact properly before construction commenced.
This oversight likely compromised the foundation’s stability. Additionally, the use of substandard building materials was identified as a significant contributing factor to the failure of the structure.
These incidents highlight the urgent need for stricter enforcement of building regulations, adherence to safety standards, and proper supervision in construction projects, particularly in rapidly developing areas like Ikorodu.
The ongoing rescue operations underscore the critical role of emergency agencies, while the community mourns and awaits further news about the trapped individuals.