TheNewsGuru

Tag: building collapse

  • Updates: Two more casualties recorded at Lagos building collapse

    Updates: Two more casualties recorded at Lagos building collapse

    The death toll from the two-storey building collapse at Arowojobe Estate in the Maryland area of Lagos State has risen to five, as confirmed by Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA).

    The building collapse occurred on Thursday, with search and rescue operations still ongoing.

    There have been building collapses in Lagos, including a 2021 incident where a 21-storey building under construction collapsed, resulting in at least 42 fatalities.

    Recall that three persons had been confirmed dead following the building collapse which occurred at No. 13, Wilson Mba St., Arowojobe Estate, Maryland, Lagos, in the early hours of Thursday.

    Oke-Osanyintolu had said that three males who were recovered dead at the building were site workers.

    In an update on the incident, Oke-Osanyintolu said that by initial response early Thursday morning at about 3:40 a.m., LASEMA and other responders rescued three victims.

    Oke-Osanyintolu said that during the search and rescue operation, two more male adults were rescued and stabilised before being transferred to the hospital.

    “The first 3 victims that were rescued were taken to Gbagada General Hospital. The other 2 victims that were rescued were ferried to the Trauma Center at Gbagada after being stabilised.

    “In all, the four adult Male victims that were recovered dead, have been handed over to the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU), for further processing.

    “Search and Rescue Operation is still ongoing to Ground Zero,

  • Lagos: Death toll rises to 5 in early morning building collapse

    Lagos: Death toll rises to 5 in early morning building collapse

    The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) said the death toll in the building collapse at Arowojobe Estate in Maryland area of the state had risen to five person.

    The agency’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, confirmed this in a statement made available to NAN.

    He said the total number of death was now five adult males while the rescued persons were now five.

    “The first three victims that were rescued were taken to the Gbagada General Hospital.

    “The other two victims who were rescued were ferried to the Trauma Centre at Gbagada after being stabilised.

    “In all, the five adult male victims who were recovered dead have been handed over to the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit for further processing.

    “A search and rescue operation is still ongoing to ground zero,” he said.

    LASEMA had earlier received a distress call regarding a collapsed building at No 13 Wilson Mba Str., Arowojobe Estate, Maryland, Lagos, at about 3.49 a.m.

    This prompted the immediate activation of the agency’s response team to the scene of the incident at 3.58 a.m. while operation is still ongoing.

  • BREAKING: 3 dead in early morning building collapse in Lagos

    BREAKING: 3 dead in early morning building collapse in Lagos

    The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), on Thursday, confirmed the death of three site workers on a building that collapsed at Arowojobe Estate in Maryland area of the State.

    The agency’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, who confirmed this in a statement, disclosed that the incident happened at No 13, Wilson Mba St., Arowojobe Estate, Maryland, Lagos.

    He said that the three male that were recovered dead at the building were site workers.

    “The agency received a distress call regarding a collapsed building at the above address at about 3.49 a.m.

    “This prompted the immediate activation of the agency’s response team to the scene of the incident at 3.58 a.m.

    “It was discovered that a set of three terraces under construction had collapsed.

    “Search and rescue operations began immediately and three adult males were recovered dead, two male adults were rescued alive and one adult male trapped under the rubble was rescued,” he said.

    He added that the rescued ones were carried out through the efforts of LASEMA and the Lagos State Fire Service.

    “All the six men were site workers.

    “They are receiving pre hospital care on location while the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit has been contacted for the remains of the three fatalities.

    “A combined team of agency personnel, fire service and Nigeria Police are working at the scene.

    “LASEMA’s excavator has been deployed to accelerate the search and rescue operations,” he said.

  • How building collapse resulted in 33 deaths in 7 months

    How building collapse resulted in 33 deaths in 7 months

    The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), the regulatory body governing the practice of engineering has said that Nigeria recorded 22 building collapse between January to July 2024.

    The President of COREN, Prof. Sadiq Abubakar made this known at a news conference on Wednesday in Abuja.

    The news conference is themed,’’The Incessant Spate of Building Collapse in Nigeria in Recent Times-A Call for Sustainable Collaboration by All Stakeholders.

    Abubakar said that from January to 14 July, alone, at least 22 cases of building collapse have been reported in Nigeria with Lagos accounting for 27.27 per cent, Abuja and Anambra 18.18 per cent each.

    He added that Ekiti and Plateau followed with 9.09 per cent each and Kano, Taraba and Niger states accounted for 4.55 per cent each.

    ’’Records also showed that Lagos takes the lead in the incidences of building collapse.

    ’’As a matter of fact, over 91 buildings have collapsed resulting in the death of over 354 persons in Lagos from 2012 to date.

    ’’Similarly in Abuja, about 30 buildings have collapsed from 1993 till date resulting in the death of more than 64 persons and injury of many.

    ’’The most recent occurrences of building collapse close to DMGS Onitsha , Anambra state on June 12 and that of  a school (Saint Academy)in Plateau on July 13 where 22 students died and 134 injured as well as the building collapse in  Kubwa , Abuja.

    He said that the incidences were worrisome.

    According to him, this calls for deep reflection and collaboration of all stakeholders in stemming the tide.

    ’’While we commiserate with all victims and families, we want to commend the efforts of all emergency and security services for their prompt response at the time.’’

    According to Abubabkar , the leading causes of building collapse varies from one location to the other.

    He said some building collapse as a result of aging and  from some investigations and researches conducted over time, use of substandard construction materials and structural failure were also responsible.

    He said that other factors included :illegal change of use of buildings, illegal addition of floors, quackery, inadequate or lack of supervision and oversight.

    He added other factors were faulty foundations or lack of conduct of soil/geotechnical investigation, sharp and corrupt practices amongst others.

    Abubakar also commended the respective affected state governments for constituting a panel of enquiry to look into the various cases with a view to finding out the immediate and remote causes and preventing future occurrences.

    ’’This is not the time for apportioning blames or contest of superiority within the built environment but a time for all stakeholders to unite and proffer workable and lasting solution, particularly in the prevention of building collapses.

    ’’All professionals within the built environment have a role to play in this.

    ’’In this regard we have identified and categorised many stakeholders that we will be engaging shortly,’’he said

    The President said that the proliferation of illegal miners even within residential areas as reported in some quarters was a danger to the structural stability of buildings.

    He added that the council had therefore, urged affected states to take urgent steps to reverse the trend adding that it was also time to enforce the compulsory insurance of some building under construction.

    Abubakar said that perturbed by the incessant and avoidable incidences of building collapse in Nigeria and loss of lives in recent times, COREN had deemed to make major moves.

    He said that COREN had taken some steps in monitoring and prevention of building collapse by training and licensing Engineering Regulation Monitoring (ERM) inspectors.

    Abubakar added that COREN had reconstituted its Council Committee on Engineering Regulation Monitoring (ERM) and added an additional role of enforcement to its responsibility in line with the amended COREN Act.

    He said that COREN had constituted  ERM&E Task Force at regional levels including Ibadan, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Kano, FCT, Gombe and Lagos among other steps to tackle buildingcollapse.

  • Two rescued from collapsed building in Osun

    Two rescued from collapsed building in Osun

    The Police Command in Osun on Sunday confirmed the rescue of two persons who were trapped under a collapsed building at Sabo Area of Osogbo.

    SP Yemisi Opalola,  Police Spokesperson in Osun made this known in a statement issued in Osogbo on Sunday.

    Opalola said an uncompleted storey building collapsed at about 8:30 a.m on Sunday, trapping the rescued victims.

    “At about 08:30a.m  today (Sunday), a distress call was received that a one-storey uncompleted building located at Sabo Area in Osogbo had collapsed.

    “Immediately, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Mohammed Abba, mobilized rescue team to the scene to cordon off the scene to ensure effective and efficient management of the rescue operations.

    “Rescue efforts were mobilised as directed by the CP to rescue the trapped victims and the operation was led/coordinated by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Department of Operations,  DCP Abayomi Shogunle, DPO Dugbe Division, CSP Akinloye Oyegade, the Command Public Relations Officer, SP Yemisi Olawoyin Opalola Yemisi and other Police teams.

    “Also NSCDC, Fire Service and other emergency responders were on ground to complement the efforts of the Police,” she said.

    Opalola said the uncompleted building was being used by some destitutes as their abode before it collapsed.

    She said two persons: Shehu Abubakar, 45, and Muktairu Mohammed, 30, trapped under the rubbles were rescued alive, evacuated and rushed to the hospital by Osun Ambulance Services.

    The police spokesperson said that they were also responding to treatment.

    She said that normalcy had returned to the area while the Commissioner of Police enjoined the people of the state to report any building suspected to be dilapidated/distress on time for necessary actions to be taken to avoid reoccurrence.

  • Family escapes death in another building collapse in Lagos

    Family escapes death in another building collapse in Lagos

    The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), on Sunday said that a family escaped death when their house in the  outskirts of the city collapsed.

    The agency’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said in a statement in Lagos, that the incident occurred around Adealu Bus-stop in Ipaja area of the state.

    He said that the agency responded to a  distress call received through the 767 and 112 Emergency toll free lines at 22: 44hrs on Saturday night (July 13).

    “The building collapsed at No. 49, Oyinlola Street, off Adealu Bus-stop, Iyana-Ipaja, Lagos.

    “Upon arrival at the scene, investigations revealed that it was the boys’ quarters  behind the storey-building in the said address that collapsed.

    “Fortunately, the single family involved was able to escape before the collapse. There were no casualties nor fatalities involved in the incident.

    “Further investigations revealed that the boys’ quarters of the building collapsed as a result of neglect and poor maintenance,” he said.

    He added that the agency’s response team conducted public enlightenment for awareness and knowledge on the inherent danger to occupants of the building if they continued to stay there.

    “The main building, which consists of nine rooms downstairs and two flats upstairs, has been cordoned off.

    “All occupants have been advised to vacate the building immediately, for the safety of their lives and property,” he said.

    He also recommended that there should be a manual demolition of the remnants of the building.

    “Manual clearing of the debris from the self-collapsed boys’ quarters is equally recommended.

    “Integrity tests by the Material Testing Laboratory has also been recommended for the main building, to determine its continued existence,” he said.

  • FG pledges support to victims of Jos school collapse

    FG pledges support to victims of Jos school collapse

    The Federal Government says it will support the victims, the families and community affected by the
    collapsed school building in Jos, Plateau, on Friday.

    The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Saturday by Mrs Folasade Boriowo, Director, Press and Public Relations in the ministry.

    “We urge the relevant government agencies, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Plateau State Emergency Management Agency, to provide necessary support to the survivors.

    “The collaboration of these agencies is crucial in ensuring that survivors receive the necessary care and assistance during this challenging period,” he said.

    The Minister expressed deep sympathy over the tragic collapse of the school

    “It is with deep sorrow that we receive the devastating news of the collapse building in Saints Academy, Busa Buji in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, which occurred during School hours when classes were in session.

    “The entire Federal Ministry of Education feels a sense of collective loss and sorrow over the death of these young ones especially occurring when they were writing exams meant to advance their level of education.

    “Our heartfelt condolences go to the Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, the bereaved families, the families of all the injured victims, and the entire people of Plateau State.

    “May the souls of the departed rest in peace, and may the injured ones recover speedily.

    “We stand in solidarity with the affected community during this difficult time,” the Minister said.

    Mamman emphasised the importance for contractors and all agencies responsible for building-construction to ensure the construction of solid and safe structures.

    According to him,  ensuring structural integrity was paramount to prevent such tragic incidents in the future.

    The Minister extended appreciation to the timely intervention of the search and rescue team, as well as members of the public, who swiftly rushed to the school premises to assist in evacuating surviving students and staff members.

    According to him, their prompt action undoubtedly saved lives and brought immediate relief to those trapped in the rubble.

  • Victims of Kubwa building collapse rescued alive – CP

    Victims of Kubwa building collapse rescued alive – CP

    The Commissioner of Police (CP), FCT Command, Benneth Igweh says all the victims of the two-storey building that collapsed n Kubwa, Bwari Area Council, FCT, in the early hour on Saturday were rescued alive.

    Igweh disclosed that the rescue team was able to go down the rubbles to ascertain that all the trapped persons were evacuated.

    He said four of the victims rushed to the hospital were stabilised, among whom, two had been discharged while one was rushed to the National Hospital for further medical care.

    “I was one of the first persons to arrive here early this morning when the incident happened. We ensured that all trapped victims were rescued alive. We thank God that there was no death.

    “I thank the rescue teams, they have been very wonderful. We called them and they answered us.

    “That is why we always tell the residents that, when you see something, you say something and when you say something, we will do something.

    “The prompt response was as a result of the people who called us that this building fell. We thank the Abuja residents for the promptness, because that was what has ensured the rescue of the people,’’ he said.

    Igweh disclosed that the last victim rescued from the rubble, a corps member, would have died, if not for the intervention of Zeberced, a private Engineering company.

    “We called them and they mobilised to the site, you can see their equipment. That was what helped in the rescue, because she was trapped under.’’

    The Controller, FCT Fire Service, Zacchaeus Adebayo, said he received distressed call on  the incidence at about 6:30 a.m and he mobilised his men for rescue operations, promptly.

    He however, advised FCT residents to always be proactive in detecting dangers and alerting relevant agencies to it.

    “That way, things will not get worse and we will begin to salvage the situation, because prevention is the best.

    “They should always raise alarm, whenever they notice anything wrong around them,’’he said

    Mr Wilson Agbonta, a representative of the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON), said he was on ground to carry out investigation into what happened, in line with the policy of the council.

    Agbonta said he observed that the building had failed, adding that when floras begin to grow on walls of a. building, it is  a sign that  the building has already failed and just awaiting  collapse.

    “This building has gone through three tenancy from hospital to hotel to residential. When this happened, we will not know how the dead and the life loads were managed.

    “These are the investigations we need to carry out, because when you increase the population of a house, it affects the building.

    “So, we are trying to establish what the original function of this building was and who designed it, because there are consequences for change of use.

    “Once an Architect handles a design, he will appoint other consultants approved, recognised registered by the regulatory bodies  in the course of the building.

    “When construction is being done, it is the Architect’s job to coordinate the process.

    “So, we need to find out, if an Architect was engaged and  allowed to do his job, and who authorised the change of use of the building,” he said.

    The two-storey building collapsed n Kubwa, Bwari Area Council, FCT, in the early hour on Saturday.

    The building, located beside Cupid Hotel, Sultan Dasuki Road, Phase 2, Site 2, Kubwa, reportedly contained 45 self-contained rooms,

    The building, previously used as a hotel, was converted to a hospira, before it was converted for residential purposes.

  • 4 persons rescued from collapsed building in Abuja [Photos]

    4 persons rescued from collapsed building in Abuja [Photos]

    The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD) says four persons have been rescued alive from the rubbles of a collapsed two-storey building in Kubwa, Abuja, on Saturday.

    The acting Director-General, FEMD, Mrs Florence Wenegieme, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.

    Wenegieme said that the building was located beside Cupid Hotel, Sultan Dasuki Road, Phase 2, Site 2, Kubwa, in Bwari Area Council of the FCT.

     

    She explained that the collapsed building contained 45 self-contained rooms, adding that it was previously used as a hotel before it was converted for residential purposes.

    Wenegieme said that two of the rescued victims had been taken to the Kubwa General Hospital and were currently receiving treatment.

    “FEMD was notified of the incident by passersby and also received a distress call on our 112 emergency toll-free number at about 6.45 a.m. and immediately mobilised to the scene.

    “Search and rescue efforts are ongoing until the last person is removed, if at all there is still someone trapped in the rubbles,” she said.

    The acting director-general said that other agencies at the scene included the National Emergency Management Agency, FCT Fire Service, Federal Road Safety Corps, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps and the Nigeria Police.

    She appealed to developers to strictly follow the building code and avoid the use of substandard materials to avert the incessant building collapse in the FCT.

  • VIDEO: WATCH moment rescue team arrived scene of collapsed school building in Jos

    VIDEO: WATCH moment rescue team arrived scene of collapsed school building in Jos

    It was echoes of Jesus at the collapsed school building in Jos on Thursday, as captured in a video clip.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that many bodies were carried out of the school in operative vehicles.

    TNG had earlier reported that a school, Saint Academy, collapsed this morning in the Busa Buji area of Jos North.

    Cranes and rescue teams have arrived, and they are making efforts to save the lives of some of the kids who are trapped under rubble.

    See  video below: