A seven-story building collapsed in the Banana Island area of Lagos state on Wednesday 12th of April 2023. The building which was under construction collapsed and it is reported that some workers were trapped under the rubble.
Giving an update on the incident, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso has confirmed that nobody died from the incident, rescuing 25 persons from the collapse. He also stated that 16 people with moderate injuries were admitted at General Hospital, Odan, Lagos Island, and Police Hospital Falomo for treatment and care, while nine others with minor injuries were treated and discharged at the site by Lagos State Ambulance Services.
He said, “Nobody died in the incident, which occurred on Wednesday, as of the time of this report. Twenty-five people were rescued from the site Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, scanned the building with a high-precision 3-D Laser Imagery System for life and found no evidence of anyone trapped in the rubble.
“A roll call has also been done by the site supervisors, with everyone accounted for. LASEMA has continued with the excavation of the site, using architectural designs. The site has also been divided into quadrants for a painstaking search and rescue operation. Presently, quadrants 2 and 3 have been leveled to ground zero, having completed the search operation. Quadrants 1 and 4 are ongoing.
According to the commissioner, the Physical Planning and Urban Development Commissioner Bamgbose-Martins, an Engineer and Special Duties Special Adviser, Mobolaji Ogunlende, is in charge of coordinating the operations led by the LASEMA Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu.
Observing that the Commissioner for Health Prof. Akin Abayomi had visited the site and hospitals where victims of the incident were admitted, Out of the 25 persons rescued by LASEMA, 16 with moderate injuries were admitted at General Hospital, Odan, Lagos Island, and Police Hospital Falomo for treatment and care.
“Nine others with minor injuries, such as bruises, were treated and discharged at the site by Lagos State Ambulance Services (LASAMBUS).
“Of the 16 persons on admission, 11 were taken to Police Hospital Falomo. Eight of the 11 persons have been treated and discharged. Some are required to come for daily follow-up and management. Three with various injuries, including blunt traumatic chest injury, knee injuries, deep lacerations, and others, are on admission.”
Consequently, Omotoso added, “Mr. Governor has directed that all developments on Banana Island be placed on hold, subject to a comprehensive audit by the officials of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA). This is to determine how many buildings are being constructed without approval from the Lagos State Government; and If all approved buildings are being built in line with the approval limits provided, this his exercise will be extended to other estates and gated communities.”
Eyewitnesses, who are under a condition of anonymity, said one of the concrete mixer trucks jammed into some load-bearing columns of the building, causing a loud bang and leading to the immediate collapse
