Many trapped as seven-storey building collapses in Banana Island

A seven-storey building has collapsed in the Banana Island area of Lagos state.

The building, which was under construction, collapsed on Wednesday evening.

TheCable understands that some workers are currently trapped under the rubble.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in Lagos state confirmed the incident in a terse statement.

“A report of a storey building under construction was just received at Banana Island. Workers trapped. We are mobilising to respond,” the statement reads.

Over the past few years, Lagos has been experiencing a recurring trend of building collapse.

On November 1, 2021, a 21-storey building, which was being developed by Fourscore Homes, collapsed in the Ikoyi axis of the state.

Forty-six persons died in the incident while 15 others were rescued. Femi Osibona, the owner of Fourscore Homes, was among those who died in the collapsed building.

In February 2022, a three-storey building collapsed in the Onike area of Yaba, leading to several casualties.

In May 2022, the collapse of a three-storey building in the Ebute-Meta axis of the state claimed at least eight lives.

In September 2022, a seven-storey uncompleted building collapsed at Oba Idowu Oniru street, in the Lekki area of Lagos.

‘NO FATALITY RECORDED’

Reacting to the incident, the Lagos state ministry of physical planning and urban development said a few people sustained injuries and no fatality.

“A few who sustained injuries are being treated. There is no fatality. This unfortunate incident happened while casting was being done,” Mukaila Sanusi, the ministry’s deputy director of Public Affairs, said in a statement.

“The commissioner for physical planning and urban development, Engr. Tayo Bamgbose-Martins was immediately on site to assess the situation and flag off the investigation.

“We ask members of the public to remain calm and expect further information from the ministry as we know more.”