A two-storey building collapsed in the early hours of Monday at 54 Cole Street, near Cemetery Bus Stop in the Oyingbo area of Lagos, leaving many residents trapped and injured.
According to a situation report released by the Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, the incident occurred around 12:20 a.m., prompting an immediate response from the Sari-Iganmu Fire Station team.
Emergency responders, including personnel from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and state fire service, were still on site as of press time, battling to rescue those trapped beneath the rubble.
Adeseye confirmed that the affected building had earlier been marked as distressed before it eventually caved in while occupants were asleep.
“It is an ongoing rescue involving an existing two-storey building which had reportedly been marked in distress before collapsing on the occupants,” Adeseye stated.
So far, 15 people — including seven men, four women, and four children — have been rescued with varying degrees of injuries. They have been taken to the Federal Medical Centre in Ebute Metta and the General Hospital, Odan, Lagos Island for urgent medical care.
Rescue officials say more victims may still be trapped as the search and recovery operation continues through the debris.
Building collapses remain a recurring tragedy in Lagos, raising concerns over poor construction practices and lax regulatory oversight. Experts have repeatedly blamed the incidents on use of substandard materials, structural defects, and weak enforcement of safety standards.
This latest collapse adds to a long list of similar disasters in the state. In November 2021, a luxury high-rise under construction in Ikoyi collapsed, killing at least 42 people, after investigations revealed it had exceeded its approved floors. Another tragic incident occurred in September 2025, when a four-storey building in Yaba crumbled, leaving several people dead and others injured.
Authorities have again urged property owners and developers to adhere strictly to building regulations to prevent further loss of lives and property.
Rescue operations are ongoing, with officials yet to confirm the total number of casualties as investigations continue.
