No fewer than eight persons, including an infant girl, have been confirmed dead following the collapse of a three-storey shopping complex in the Alakija area of Lagos-Badagary Expressway on Thursday.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency disclosed that 26 other victims were rescued from the rubble as emergency responders continued search and rescue operations at the scene.
The Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said a multi-agency rescue operation had been launched immediately after the incident was reported.
He said two victims were initially rescued alive, while one deceased adult male was recovered from the debris. By 4:20pm, the casualty figure had risen to eight fatalities.
Heavy-duty equipment, including an excavator, was deployed to support rescue efforts. The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service confirmed two people dead and 16 rescued in an earlier statement.
The agency urged members of the public to stay away from the scene to allow emergency personnel unrestricted access.