Panic gripped residents of Mushin in Lagos on Sunday afternoon after a residential building collapsed on Ishaga Road, directly opposite the Central Mosque in the densely populated Idi Araba area. The incident, which occurred around 3:50 p.m., has left several people trapped under the rubble while emergency teams scramble to save lives.
According to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), three individuals have been rescued so far and are currently receiving medical treatment at a nearby hospital. The first two victims were pulled from the debris shortly after the collapse, while a third person was rescued around 6:35 p.m., giving hope to anxious onlookers and family members still waiting for news of their loved ones.
Ibrahim Farinloye, NEMA’s South-West Coordinator, confirmed the ongoing rescue efforts, noting that emergency responders from multiple agencies swiftly mobilized to the scene. The search continues late into the evening, as fears persist that more victims remain buried beneath the rubble.
The cause of the collapse remains unclear, but the incident has reignited public outcry over the frequent building failures in Lagos. Urban development experts and concerned residents are pointing to a disturbing pattern of structural failures fueled by substandard materials, weak regulatory enforcement, and disregard for building codes.
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This latest disaster comes as Lagos grapples with increasing urbanization and the pressure to accommodate a booming population. Many fear that without urgent and sustained intervention, such tragedies may become even more common.
The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) has pledged to conduct a thorough investigation into the collapse. Officials say a detailed report will be compiled to determine the root cause and to recommend preventive measures to safeguard lives and properties across the state.
As families await updates and emergency crews dig through the debris, Mushin has once again become the center of attention in the ongoing crisis of building safety in Lagos. The state government is expected to make a formal statement as the situation unfolds.
