Fear and confusion erupted in Lagos on Thursday after a multi-storey building suddenly collapsed, leaving several people feared trapped beneath the rubble as emergency rescue operations began immediately.
The incident reportedly happened around the Alakija area along the busy Lagos-Badagry Expressway, drawing large crowds as residents and passersby rushed to the scene in shock.
Eyewitnesses said the structure gave way unexpectedly while occupants were still inside, triggering panic as cries for help were heard from different parts of the collapsed building.
Emergency responders, including officials of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, quickly arrived at the location and began efforts to search for survivors trapped under the debris.
Early rescue efforts led to the successful evacuation of several victims, some of whom sustained varying degrees of injuries and were handed over to medical personnel for urgent treatment.
Authorities have not confirmed the exact number of people still trapped, but rescue teams continue working carefully through the rubble in hopes of reaching more survivors.
Security operatives also cordoned off the area to control movement and prevent crowds from interfering with the ongoing emergency operation.
The cause of the collapse remains unknown for now, though investigators are expected to examine the structural integrity of the building and determine what may have led to the incident.
Residents around the area expressed concern over the repeated cases of building collapse in Lagos, calling for stricter enforcement of construction safety regulations.
The latest disaster has again renewed concerns over building standards in Nigeria’s commercial capital as rescue teams continue efforts to account for everyone believed to have been inside the structure at the time of collapse.