UPDATE: Two Dead, Eight Rescued In Lagos Building Collapse

Two children have been confirmed dead, while about eight persons have been rescued from the rubbles of a three-storey building, which collapsed at 20, Freeman Street, Lagos Island on Saturday morning, Vanguard reports.

The victims were two children from same parents, while both parents were among those rescued alive.

The unfortunate incident happened early Saturday morning and the building suffered a total collapse, leaving its occupants trapped, as they were fast asleep.

Neighbours were said to have called emergency responders about the incident.

On arrival, the first victim to be recovered was a male child, who was pronounced dead.

Vanguard learned that the former occupants of the building had all vacated it when they noticed its distressed nature. However, it was let out to a new set of 10 tenants.

In the morning, sympathisers ignored the social distancing guideline on COVID-19 and trooped to the scene.

Some of the onlookers alleged that the developer brought in the victims, assuring them that the building will be renovated. It was undergoing the renovation when it went down today.

As at 10.30a.m, search and rescue operation had ended, but removal of the rubbles was ongoing.

While the survivors were attended to at the scene, the two dead children have been deposited at the morgue.

Lagos State Ambulance Services, LASSMBUS;  Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA; Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning, Police and other relevant agencies were on ground.

LASEMA Director-General, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said investigations will be conducted to unravel the cause of the incident.