Eight construction workers have been rescued from the debris of a collapsed building in the Alagomeji area of Ebute Metta, Lagos.
The four-storey structure, still under construction, gave way around 8 p.m. on Friday, burying the workers beneath the rubble.
Emergency services swiftly responded to the scene, with the Lagos State Fire Service as well as those from the state Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) leading the rescue efforts.
After hours of digging and lifting, the rescue team successfully extracted the eight workers from the rubble, much to the relief of their colleagues and onlookers.
According to eyewitnesses, the rescue operation was a painstaking process, requiring careful maneuvering to avoid further collapse.
“We were worried that the building might collapse further, but the rescue team did an amazing job,” said one eyewitness.
The rescued workers were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, with reports indicating that they sustained varying degrees of injuries.
The cause of the building collapse is yet to be determined, but authorities have promised to launch an investigation.
Ogabi Olajide, Deputy Controller General, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, confirmed the incident saying that the ill-fated building is located at 333 Borno Way, Alagomeji, Ebute-Metta, Lagos.
Olajide disclosed that all relevant emergency responders including the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service at the scene with three male adult victims rescued alive when rescue work started while search and rescue continued for the remaining construction workers who were still trapped in.
“The four storey building under construction gave way at about 19:46 hours Friday as reported before the intervention of first responders.
“All reported trapped eight victims (all adults male construction workers) have been rescued alive as search and rescue reached ground zero while evacuation of rubbles continue” he added.