Residents of Mushin in Lagos State were thrown into a state of panic on Sunday afternoon when a one-storey building under construction came crashing down without warning. The building, located at 96 Ishaga Road, directly opposite the Idi Araba Central Mosque, caved in while workers were believed to be on site.
Eyewitnesses in the area reported a loud crash just after midday, followed by clouds of dust and cries for help. Passersby and local residents quickly gathered around the scene before emergency responders arrived.
Emergency services, including the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Services, responded swiftly and began working through the debris. According to early reports, three individuals were successfully pulled out of the rubble alive. Their identities have not yet been made public.
The spokesperson for the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Services, Shakiru Amodu, confirmed the incident and the ongoing rescue operations. “A male adult has been rescued while efforts are ongoing to rescue other victims trapped under the rubble,” he said.
As of Sunday evening, the total number of people still trapped remains unclear. Rescue workers, equipped with digging tools and aided by search dogs, were seen carefully removing concrete slabs to avoid further injuries to potential survivors.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) also joined in the rescue efforts, setting up a safety perimeter around the collapsed site. Medical personnel stood by with ambulances ready to treat the injured.
Local authorities are currently investigating the cause of the collapse. However, early suspicions point to structural weaknesses and possibly substandard building materials. Nearby residents said the building had shown signs of weakness over the past few days, with visible cracks on the walls and unusual creaking noises.
