LAMATA official trapped in Lagos tunnel for 5 days dies

A 59-year-old sewer worker at the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Tajudeen Amololo, who was trapped in an underground tunnel for five days in the Onipan area of Lagos State has been confirmed dead.

The demise of the man was announced by the Lagos State Emergency Management Authority (LASEMA) on Friday, May 10, 2024.

Amololo was trapped in the tunnel while dislodging and evacuating waste from the underground drainage to allow the free flow of water on Monday.

LASEMA Permanent Secretary Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, in a statement, said the man was rescued dead at about 5:53 p.m. on Friday.

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Oke-Osanyintolu noted: “After five days of painstaking, tedious, and energy-sapping operation, the team remained determined and focused on the rescue operation.

“At about 5:53 p.m. on Friday, May 10, the victim was recovered dead from the underground drainage and tunnel.

“The recovered body was immediately bagged by the agency’s officials and handed over to LAMATA Drain Ducks.”

The LASEMA boss further disclosed that a firefighter with the Lagos State Fire Service also suffocated during the rescue operation but was resuscitated.

Oke-Osanyintolu added that adequate safety measures should be provided to workers in the operations of the drain ducks.

The Star