Atleast one person has been confirmed dead and nine others sustained varying degrees of injuries when a mosque in Papa Ajao axis of Mushin Local Government Area of Lagos State caved in on the residents.
The deceased was said to be an adult who was around the one-storey building used as worship center when it collapsed during the afternoon prayer session.
Of the nine injured worshippers, four were said to have suffered severe injuries during the collapse and have been on admission after they were rushed by emergency officials to the hospital.
The development was confirmed by the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr Femi Osanyintolu, and the Lagos Police spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, on Sunday to newsmen amid search and rescue in operations at the scene.
Oke-Osanyintolu, who led the rescue operation, said that the mosque is located on Yusuf Street, off Ladipo Road, Papa Ajao, collapsed at about 1:40 pm when the Muslims were having their prayer.
The permanent secretary said that search and rescue operations were taking place under his supervision, basically to ensure that no one is left under the rubbles.
He listed emergency responders at the scene to include LASEMA Response Team, the police, Lagos State Ambulance Service and Lagos State Fire Service.
According to the statement, “Preliminary investigation carried out upon arrival at the scene revealed that an excavator clearing the road recklessly hit a mosque (a storey building) by the road side which resulted to the mosque collapse.
“After the collapse, four victims were immediately rushed to the hospital. A total of 10 people were trapped beneath the rubble.
“Search and Rescue of the victims trapped under the rubbles under the supervision of the Permanent Secretary was conducted with the aid of the Agency’s heavy duty equipment Crane, Hiab and an excavator.
“One adult was retrieved dead while the others received pre hospital care on the scene from the Agency’s Pre Hospital Care Unit. One with serious injuries was transferred to hospital.
“Responders at the scene of the incident includes the Agency’s response team led by the PS, LRU Fire unit, Lagos State Fire Service,LASPA, LASBCA, NEMA, Nigeria Police, LNSC, FRSC and LASAMBUS”.
