Tragedy struck on Saturday morning in the Ojodu-Berger area of Lagos State when a three-storey building housing the “Equal Right” restaurant collapsed, leaving several people feared trapped under the rubble.
Eyewitnesses reported that the building, located on Oremeta Street, came crashing down unexpectedly, catching both patrons and passersby by surprise.
In response, emergency teams including the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) swiftly mobilized to the scene to begin search and rescue operations. Local residents also joined in efforts to save those buried beneath the debris.
So far, nine individuals have been rescued and rushed to the hospital for urgent medical attention. The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service Director, Margaret Adeseye, confirmed the development, adding that the rescue operation remains ongoing and more people may still be trapped.
Speaking through the agency’s spokesperson, Shakiru Amodu, Adeseye said: “We have a three-storey building which collapsed this morning. Fortunately, we have rescued nine people alive, with no recorded fatalities so far.”
The rescued victims reportedly sustained various degrees of injuries. They were first stabilized by the Lagos State Ambulance Services (LASAMBUS) before being transferred to nearby hospitals for further treatment.
Preliminary findings suggest the upper floors of the building were unoccupied at the time of the collapse. However, the ground floor was in use, housing the Equal Right Restaurant, a bar, and a parking lot.
As of press time, the cause of the collapse remains unknown. Authorities say investigations are underway to determine the circumstances leading to the incident.
