According to an update from the Lagos Territorial Head of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the building was still under construction at the time of the collapse. "A report of a three-storey building under construction was just received at Banana Island. Workers trapped. We are mobilising to respond," he said.
The cause of the collapse is not yet known, but preliminary reports suggest that it could be due to structural defects or poor construction practices. Rescue efforts are ongoing, with emergency responders working frantically to extract trapped workers from the rubble.
Eyewitnesses at the scene described a chaotic scene, with workers screaming for help as they were buried under the debris. "It was a terrible sight. The building just came crashing down and workers were trapped inside. We could hear their screams for help, but we couldn't do much," said one witness.
Another witness said that the collapse happened suddenly, without warning. "One moment the building was there, and the next it was gone. It happened so fast that we couldn't even react. It's a miracle that anyone survived," he said.
The collapse of the building has once again brought attention to the issue of building collapses in Lagos State, which has been a recurring problem in recent years. Just last year, a building in the Ita Faji area of Lagos Island collapsed, killing 20 people, most of whom were school children.
In response to the problem, the Lagos State government has launched several initiatives aimed at curbing building collapses, including the establishment of a Building Control Agency and the enactment of a new building code. However, the problem persists, with many buildings still being constructed without proper oversight and safety measures.
As rescue efforts continue at the site of the collapse, there are concerns about the fate of the workers who were trapped under the rubble. Emergency responders are working tirelessly to extract them from the debris, but the task is complicated by the unstable nature of the collapsed building.
"We are doing everything we can to get the workers out safely. It's a race against time, but we are hopeful that we will be able to rescue as many people as possible," said one emergency responder.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State government has expressed its condolences to the families of those affected by the collapse and promised to take decisive action to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.
"The collapse of the building in Banana Island is a tragedy that should not have happened. We will conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the collapse and ensure that those responsible are held accountable," said a statement from the Lagos State government.
The statement also urged building owners and developers to comply with safety regulations and building codes to prevent future incidents. "We will not tolerate any form of negligence or disregard for safety standards in the construction industry. The safety of our citizens is of utmost importance," it said.
As night falls on Banana Island, the site of the collapsed building is illuminated by floodlights as emergency responders continue their rescue efforts. The fate of the workers trapped under the rubble remains uncertain, but there is hope that they will be rescued alive.