Nigerian collapse leaves 6 dead; up to 100 people can be in the rubble

At least six people died in Nigeria’s commercial capital, Lagos, after the collapse of a 21-story building that was under construction, the head of the emergency services said on Tuesday (2).

Building collapses are frequent in Africa’s most populous country, where building regulations are poorly enforced and poor quality building materials are often used.

Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu said a search and rescue effort was started on Monday night to try to find survivors of the incident.

“Currently, all response teams are on site while the search and rescue is ongoing,” said Oke-Osanyintolu, adding that the death toll currently stands at six.

Four people were rescued alive and three more were treated for minor injuries at the scene, he said.

Witnesses say up to 100 people are missing and may lie in the rubble after the luxury residential structure collapsed.

Rescuers used bulldozers to move the debris under the glare of generator-powered spotlights while heaps of shattered concrete and twisted metal dominate where the building once stood.

President Muhammadu Buhari called for rescue efforts to be stepped up as emergency services, including hospitals, come into play.

The collapsed building was part of a three-tower complex under construction by private developer Fourscore Homes, which promised to provide “a stress-free lifestyle complete with a hotel feel.”

The cheapest unit was being sold for US$ 1.2 million (about R$ 6.82 million). Reuters called the phones of Fourscore Homes and the main contractor on the work, but got no return.