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Death toll in Nigeria building collapse rises to 22

Wednesday November 03 2021
21-story building that collapsed on in Ikoyi, Lagos nigeria

Rescue workers save a survivor that was trapped under the rubble of the collapsed 21-storey building in Ikoyi, Lagos, on November 2, 2021. PHOTO | AFP

By MOHAMMED MOMOH

Search and rescue operations in Nigeria entered their third day on Wednesday as rescuers raced to find survivors following the collapse of a 21-storey building in Lagos.

Two more bodies were pulled out of the rubble, bringing the death toll to 22 people, emergency officials said.

The building was under construction when it crumbled on Monday in the upscale Ikoyi neighbourhood of Nigeria’s commercial capital, trapping more than 50 construction workers. 

Ten bodies had been recovered by Tuesday with many more, including Mr Femi Osibona who owns the building, feared to be trapped in the rubble. 

So far, nine survivors have been rescued, but more than 20 workers are feared trapped.

21-story building that collapsed on in Ikoyi, Lagos nigeria

An aerial view showing rubble of the 21-storey building that collapsed in upscale Ikoyi, Lagos, on November 1, 2021. PHOTO | AFP

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An official with the National Emergency Management Agency, Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, said a total of 22 bodies, including that of Osibona’s personal assistant, have been recovered. 

Friends and family members of those trapped have appealed to rescue agencies to allow members of the public to assist in the recovery process. 

“The operation is going on and we will not leave until we are able to account for everybody. We are responsible for the people of the state; our focus is on saving lives,’’ Lagos State deputy governor, Mr Femi Hamzat, said on Tuesday when he visited the scene. 

It has also emerged that the building had been flagged by authorities over structural issues. 

“This site place was sealed for about four months because our agency came in to do structural tests and saw some anomalies. We shut it down and said those things should be corrected. They were making corrective actions when this happened. At the time of the collapse, they were not really constructing,” he said, adding that investigations will reveal what really happened. 

“The building was approved for 21 floors three years ago not 15 floors…it’s the construction that failed, apparently.” 

21-story building that collapsed on in Ikoyi, Lagos nigeria

This picture taken on November 2, 2021, shows the general view of rubble from the 21-story building that collapsed in Ikoyi, Lagos, on November 1, 2021. PHOTO | AFP

Meanwhile, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has suspended Mr Gbolahan Oki, the general manager of Lagos State Building Control Agency,  for alleged acts of indiscretion. 

“The government will surely find out what went wrong and punish those indicted,’’ he said.   

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