The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) General Manager Mr Adeshina Tiamiyu said no fewer than 50 persons have been rescued alive from the rubles of the three storey building which came down like a park of cards on residents earlier this morning.
Speaking with reporters this evening, Tiamiyu said it would be difficult to put a figure at the number of casualties as proper reconciliation needed to be be done at all the hospitals where the victims are rushed to before such decisions are made.
He also said work is progressing slowly at excavating the rubles so as to avoid trampling on any one who might still be trapped inside. He said work has reached the second level, while no efforts would be spared to reach ground zero and rescue anyone who might still be pulled out alive from the collapse.
Tiamiyu praised youths of the area who began the heroic tasks of rescuing the victims the moment the building came down until government team came, adding that more agencies, both from the state and federal as well as private firms and embassies have stormed the site to offer assistance and volunteer to rescue.
However, the agency said its rescue team and other agencies brought out 10 people alive, made up of 3 adult females, 1 adult male, 2 teenage boys, 1 young boy and 3 teenage girls. Dr Titilayo Goncalves, permanent secretary of the health ministry said 20 people were brought out from the wreckage and they were receiving treatment from various hospitals.
Other emergency services that joined in the rescue bid were Lagos Fire Service, Lagos Ambulance Services, LASAMBUS, NEMA, FED FIRE, Nigeria Police, NSCDC, LNSC and the RED CROSS.
The four-storey building near Massey Children Hospital collapsed this morning while children were having classes on the third floor.
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode visited the scene at about 2.40 pm, and was briefed by LASEMA officials on ground.
Parents of the pupils jammed the site of the incident wailing and shouting, expecting to see their children brought out alive.
According to some residents of the area, the building was earlier marked for
demolition before it was renovated.
One of the parents said her son was rescued by the neighbours who quickly ran
to the site.
“My son was just lucky for him to have been rescued alive. The neighbours ran to the building immediately it collapsed.