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The death toll from the collapsed three-storey building in the Ojodu-Berger area of Lagos has risen to seven, following the recovery of two additional bodies on Monday afternoon.
Initially, five bodies had been pulled from the rubble since the tragic incident occurred on Saturday morning.
As of 1:00 p.m. Monday, emergency response teams — including the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Nigeria Police, and other relevant agencies — were still on-site, working to clear the debris.
Read Also: Death Toll In Lagos Building Collapse Now 2; 12 Rescued
It remains unclear whether more bodies may still be trapped beneath the rubble.
The building, which housed an eatery, suddenly collapsed on Saturday, killing two people instantly and injuring others. Rescue and recovery efforts have continued since then.
The incident sent the entire area into confusion as residents raced to the scene to help trapped victims.
According to an eyewitness, Femi Saheed, the incident happened at about 9.30a.m., Saturday, as residents were still basking the festival mood of Easter being celebrated by Christians around the world.
Men of Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, as well as Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, later rushed to the scene.
The rescued victims were taken to a hospital for comprehensive treatment. Meanwhile, the cause of the collapse could not be ascertained at press time.
Permanent Secretary, LASEMA, Dr Femi Oke-Osanyintolu and Director, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, told newsmen that the early arrival of the agencies saved the lives of those trapped victims.
They described their response as “swift, prompt, and effective”.
According to Adeseye, through the service spokesman, Skakru Amodu: “We have a three-storey building which collapsed this morning. Fortunately, we were able to rescue 12 adults alive with varying degrees of injuries.
“They were first attended to by Lagos State Ambulance Services, LASAMBUS, before they were taken to the hospital for further treatment.
