A tragic incident occurred early Tuesday morning at No 49 Coates Street off Oyingbo Road in Lagos, where a two‑storey building collapsed, killing two people and injuring several others.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service responded promptly after receiving a distress call at 12:20 a.m., reaching the scene within nine minutes to begin rescue operations.
According to the Fire Service Controller General, Margaret Adeseye, the deceased included a man and an elderly woman, while 28 other occupants were rescued from the rubble. “It is an ongoing rescue involving an existing two‑storey building which had reportedly been marked distressed before collapsing on the occupants,” she said.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed that multiple agencies, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), joined the operation to ensure all occupants were accounted for. Femi Oke‑Osanyintolu, LASEMA’s Permanent Secretary, stated that rescue efforts would continue until the site is completely cleared.
Residents at the scene reported hearing cracking noises moments before the collapse. Some noted that the building had been previously flagged for demolition by the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) due to structural defects, but the warnings were reportedly ignored.
Emergency workers provided medical attention, water, and temporary shelter to displaced residents, while authorities urged the public to keep clear of the area to allow smooth rescue operations. Investigations are ongoing to determine whether substandard building materials or structural fatigue contributed to the collapse.
Officials have warned that individuals responsible for ignoring safety warnings will face prosecution. The incident has heightened concerns over building safety across Lagos, where similar collapses have occurred in recent years.