By Karen James
A weather-beaten, maroon-colored two-storey building on Amusu Street, Orile Iganmu, Lagos, collapsed early Monday morning, sending shockwaves through the neighborhood. The incident, which occurred at approximately 8:54 a.m. on October 14, left bystanders in a state of panic as the structure crumbled to the ground.
An amateur video, now circulating widely on social media, captured the terrifying moment the building collapsed, along with the frantic reactions from eyewitnesses. The footage shows the once-standing structure reduced to a pile of rubble, with a thick cloud of dust engulfing the surrounding area.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) quickly responded to the scene. In a statement signed by the agency’s Head of Public Affairs Unit, Nosa Okunbor, it was confirmed that, despite the collapse, no casualties were reported.
Residents in the area expressed relief that no lives were lost, as the collapse could have had devastating consequences. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the incident, with concerns raised about the building’s structural integrity prior to the collapse, as it had long shown signs of deterioration.
This incident adds to the growing concerns over building safety in Lagos, as similar occurrences have become more frequent in recent years. LASEMA continues to urge property owners to ensure their buildings are regularly inspected and maintained to prevent future tragedies.
