UPDATED: Death toll rises to 10 in Lagos building collapse

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says the death toll at the collapsed three-storey building in the Ebute Metta area of Lagos State has increased to 10.

The Zonal Coordinator South-West, NEMA, Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye, confirmed the development in Lagos on Monday.

Farinloye confirmed the death of a female National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member and a four-year-old boy in the building collapse.

“Two additional bodies including a four-year-old boy and a female youth corps member recovered, making 10 deaths.

“The number of rescued occupants remains 23, while six males and four females have been so far recovered dead,” Farinloye disclosed.

He noted that rescue operations were ongoing at the site of the incident in search of occupants trapped under the rubble.

It would be recalled that the three-storey building located at No. 24 Ibadan Street, Herbert Macaulay Way, Ebute Metta, collapsed on Sunday night at about 10:56 p.m.

Earlier, President Muhammadu Buhari lamented the frequency of building collapses in the country, saying the incident has become “increasingly embarrassing”.

The President further commiserated with families of those who died, sustained injuries, and were affected in the Ebute Metta building collapse.

Buhari, however, saluted the courage and determination of the first responders, national and sub-national emergency agencies in Lagos State, and compassionate Nigerians.

He noted that their immediate actions in the aftermath of the collapse of the three-storey building led to the rescue of several persons, including many children.

The Star