A devastating building collapse occurred on Thursday at 13, Wilson Mba Street, Arowojobe Estate, Maryland, Lagos, claiming the lives of four construction workers. The incident happened at 3:49 am, when a set of three terraces under construction gave way, trapping several workers under the rubble.
Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) responded swiftly to the scene, with Director-General Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu confirming the tragedy. Five adult males were rescued alive, while four others lost their lives. One worker was trapped under the debris but was rescued alive by LASEMA and the Lagos State Fire Service.
The victims were all site workers who received pre-hospital care before being transported to the hospital. The remains of the four fatalities were handed over to the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU).
This latest incident marks the third building collapse in Lagos in recent weeks, with flooding exacerbating the issue. In July, seven people were rescued from a collapsed two-storey building in Mushin, while ten others were saved in May when a building caved in Isale Eko.
The recurring building collapses have raised concerns about safety standards and regulations in the construction industry. As investigations continue, Lagos residents are left to mourn the loss of life and demand greater accountability to prevent such tragedies in the future.
