The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has confirmed the death of a female victim in the mosque collapse incident that occurred Sunday afternoon at Papa Ajao in the Mushin area of Lagos.
THE WITNESS earlier reported that an unascertained number of people were feared dead following the incident.
According to the Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, the mosque collapsed after it was hit by an excavator clearing road as prayer was about to commence.
He said that four victims are currently in hospital, adding that a total of 10 people were trapped beneath the rubble.
“Upon arrival at the scene at 1340hrs, a storey building mosque was found to have collapsed at Yusuf Street, Papa Ajao,” Oke-Osanyintolu said.
“Preliminary investigation carried out upon arrival at the scene revealed that an excavator clearing the road recklessly hit the mosque by the road side which resulted to the mosque collapsing as prayer was about to commence.
“Unfortunately, 1 adult female was retrieved dead while the others that sustained injuries received pre-hospital care on the scene from the Agency’s Pre Hospital Care Unit.
“4 (four) victims were immediately rushed to the hospital for further medical attention. 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 PS was conducted with the aid of the Agency’s heavy duty equipment Crane, Hiab and an excavator.”
Other responders at the scene of the incident include the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Nigeria Police, Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and Lagos State Ambulance Services (LASAMBUS).
