Tragedy in Lagos: Restaurant Workers and Customers Trapped as Building Collapses in Ojodu

Panic swept through Oremeta Street in the Ojodu area of Lagos State on Saturday morning after a two-storey building housing the Equal Right Restaurant suddenly collapsed, trapping several people beneath the rubble.

The incident occurred around 9 a.m., just as the restaurant was beginning to fill up with staff and early morning customers. A family visiting the area was also reportedly caught in the collapse.

Eyewitnesses described a terrifying scene as the structure gave way without warning, sending up a cloud of dust and debris. Emergency responders quickly arrived at the scene, including personnel from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the Police, and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

Rescue operations began immediately, with both heavy-duty and light-duty machinery deployed to clear the wreckage safely.

Five Rescued, More Feared Trapped

Dr. Oluwafemi Oke-Osanyintolu, the Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, provided an update from the site, confirming that five people had been rescued alive as of the time of reporting.

“We are approaching the situation systematically, using both heavy and light equipment to reach ground zero.
We have credible information that more individuals are still trapped under the rubble, so we are proceeding layer by layer, carefully scanning for survivors,” he stated.

Rescue Efforts Ongoing

As emergency teams continue their efforts, a growing crowd of concerned residents and sympathisers has gathered, hoping for good news. Authorities are urging the public to stay clear of the site to allow rescue operations to proceed unhindered.

This tragic event raises fresh concerns about building safety standards and regulatory enforcement in densely populated areas like Lagos.

More updates to follow as the story develops…

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