Rescue efforts are underway following the collapse of an uncompleted storey building housing Equal Right Restaurant and Bar at No. 10, Oremeta Street, Ojodu Berger, Lagos, on Saturday morning.
The incident, which occurred around 10 a.m., left several people feared trapped under the rubbles. The exact number of those trapped remains uncertain as of press time.
Eyewitnesses reported that the building caved in suddenly, catching residents and workers by surprise. Emergency responders and concerned locals have since launched rescue operations, digging through the debris in hopes of finding survivors.
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The building is reportedly owned by Hon. Mrs. Mariam Omotanwa Salau, the chairperson, Somolu LG Area of Lagos state , who inherited it from her mother, Alhaja Wulamotu Salawu, who passed away on Monday, November 28, 2022, at age 72.
Hon. Mrs. Mariam Omotanwa Salau (Owner Of The Restaurant)
Although accounts from the scene vary, some eyewitnesses claimed that fourteen individuals had been rescued, while our correspondent on ground confirmed that only three people have been pulled out alive, with over 18 bodies recovered so far.
One eyewitness said, “We heard a loud sound and rushed out. It was shocking. Some people were still inside when it collapsed.”
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Another eyewitnesses said the cause of the collapse remains unclear, but some locals had long voiced concerns about the integrity of the structure.
“That building was a ticking time bomb,” said one resident who spoke anonymously to SOCIETY REPORTERS. “I barely went there to buy food because I was always afraid it would come down one day.”
At the time of filing this report, the number of people trapped under the debris was still unknown. However, officials from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) are on the ground, actively leading the rescue mission, with support from other government agencies expected.
Meanwhile, anxious residents and onlookers have gathered at the site, hoping for news of their loved ones as rescue efforts press on.
More updates will follow as the situation develops.
Watch video below: (Video Credit By Punch Newspaper On X)
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