Death toll in Lagos building collapse rises to 15 (updated)

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says 15 bodies have been retrieved from the rubble of the 21-storey building which collapsed on Monday.

Over 24 hours after the high-rise building in Ikoyi collapsed, nine survivors have been rescued.

Ibrahim Farinloye, NEMA spokesperson, on Tuesday, said the rescue operation is still ongoing while pleading with persons whose family members were still trapped to exercise patience.

Meanwhile, Gbenga Omotoso, Lagos state commissioner for information and strategy, said all the survivors are men.

“Nine persons – all men – have been pulled out of the rubble alive. They have been taken to the hospital. Unfortunately, 14 others were brought out dead – as at 2pm,” he said in a statement.

“Mr. Sanwo-Olu thanks all first responders and those who have joined the rescue efforts, including construction giants Julius Berger, Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

“A help desk is to be set up at the site for people seeking information about their relations who may have been involved in the incident.

“The media are hereby notified that the government will be releasing information whenever the need arises to avoid any sensational reporting of the unfortunate incident.

“The Deputy Governor, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, was today at the site to encourage rescuers and comfort relations of those trapped in the rubble. Dr. Hamzat left the site for the Lagos Island General Hospital to see the survivors.”

Meanwhile, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos state governor, has suspended Gbolahan Oki, the general manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA).

The suspension came after Obafemi Hamzat, deputy governor of the state, had said construction at the collapsed building was once stopped after it failed a structural integrity test.