LAGOS, Nigeria (MandyNews) — A seven-storey building under construction collapsed on Wednesday, April 12, in the upscale Banana Island neighborhood in the Ikoyi area of Lagos State, injuring several workers.
According to local reports, several construction workers had finished their shifts for the day, but some remained on site and sustained injuries in the incident.
Amodu Shakiri, the spokesperson for the Lagos Fire and Rescue Service, confirmed the collapse to Punch News, stating that emergency services were alerted around 3:58 p.m. Shakiri noted that authorities were still working to verify if anyone was trapped beneath the rubble.
A video capturing the exact moment of the building’s collapse has gone viral, prompting various reactions and questions from the public. Some have speculated whether sabotage or a controlled demolition was involved, citing the real-time capture of the event on a mobile phone and the manner of the collapse.
Others have expressed concern about the quality of construction in even the most exclusive areas of Lagos, such as Banana Island.
The incident has ignited a debate about the responsibility of contractors and engineers in ensuring the quality and safety of buildings. Some social media users have called for those who cut corners to maximize profits or use substandard materials to face criminal charges.
They contend that if the building had been completed and occupied by tenants, the situation might have been much worse.
Conspiracy theories have also emerged, with some suggesting that the person who filmed the incident may have had prior knowledge that something was about to happen. The video has drawn comparisons to the 9/11 tragedy and raised questions about the large number of people seen on the roof of the building before the collapse.
As the investigation into the cause of the collapse continues, residents and observers are left grappling with the potential consequences of such an event and the importance of ensuring the safety and integrity of construction projects.
This incident serves as a reminder of the critical need for stringent building regulations and oversight to protect lives and property amidst rapid urban development.
