About three people have died and several worshippers were injured when a mosque located on Yusuf Street, Off Ladipo Road, Papa Ajao, Lagos State, collapsed during the Zuhr prayer time today, May 26, 2024.
According to reports, several lifeless bodies have been recovered from the rubble, while those injured have been rushed to hospitals.
The mosque caved in at Yusuf Street, when an excavator clearing the road recklessly rammed into it by the road side which resulted in its collapse.
Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), said upon arrival at the scene at 01:40pm, a storey building was found to have collapsed.
“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 collapsing as prayer was about to commence.
“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 was conducted with the aid of the Agency’s heavy duty equipment Crane, Hiab and an excavator,” he said.
Oke-Osanyintolu said “Following an extensive exercise, final casualty report on the above incident is that of three fatalities and seven casualties varying in severity. The affected building has been leveled to ground zero.
“Responders at the scene of the incident includes the Agency’s response team led by the PS, LRU Fire unit, Lagos State Fire Service, LASBCA, NEMA, Nigeria Police, LNSC, FRSC and LASAMBUS.”