Ikoyi Building Collapse: Death Toll Rises To 20, 10 People Rescued

The death toll from the collapse of a 21-storey building in the Ikoyi area of Lagos on Monday has risen to 20.

AllNews Nigeria reported the incident which occurred on Monday afternoon along Gerrard Road in the commercial hub of the nation.

While four persons were killed and five others rescued as of Monday night, the death toll and number of survivors rose on Tuesday as rescue efforts continued through the night.

According to the spokesman for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), 16 more bodies have been recovered.

He added that five more persons trapped under the rubble have been rescued by emergency responders at the scene.

This brings the total figures of those killed and rescued so far to 20 and 10 respectively.

The Deputy Governor of Lagos, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, who visited the site amid tight security, explained that the premise of the collapsed building has been sealed by the government agency in charge of testing for more investigation into the integrity of the structure.

Emergency workers have intensified rescue operations as more people are believed to be trapped under the rubble.

Also, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has set up an independent panel of inquiry to ascertain the immediate and remote causes of the disaster. He suspended the General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Gbolahan Oki.