On May 27, 2024, tragedy struck in the Papa Ajao area of Lagos State when a mosque collapsed, resulting in the death of an 11-year-old girl and injuries to several others. The Lagos State Government has revealed that the collapse was caused by an excavator that was clearing the road in the area.
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Gbenga Omotoso, confirmed the incident and stated that 10 people were believed to have been trapped when the building caved in after being hit by the excavator. One body has been retrieved from the rubble, and the rescued victims received pre-hospital care. One of the injured individuals with severe injuries has been transferred to the hospital for treatment.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, also confirmed the tragedy and mentioned that the rescue operation is ongoing. So far, the body of an 11-year-old girl has been recovered from the debris of the collapsed mosque.
Eyewitnesses reported that the incident occurred during afternoon prayers when worshippers were inside the mosque. Some managed to escape, but others were trapped under the rubble. Emergency responders were alerted and quickly arrived at the scene to begin the rescue operation.
Residents in the area revealed that the collapse was caused by excavation work being carried out by officials of the Mushin Local Government to pave the way for drainage. The excavation was done very close to the foundation of the mosque, weakening its structure and causing it to collapse.
Omobolanle Agunbiade, a resident, stated that the building had been standing for many years without any issues until the excavation work began. She emphasized that the depth of the excavation caused the building to collapse. Akeem Adeniyi, another resident, mentioned that the excavator operator fled the scene after the collapse.
The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, confirmed that the careless excavation work was responsible for the collapse of the mosque. He stated that one person died in the incident, while four others sustained injuries. The injured victims received pre-hospital care at the scene and were rushed to the hospital for further medical attention.
The tragic incident serves as a reminder of the importance of proper construction and excavation practices to ensure the safety of buildings and structures. The Lagos State Government and relevant authorities are investigating the incident to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
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