By Adebola Isimijola, Lagos

Several residents were feared trapped on Monday evening after a two-storey building collapsed on Baale Road, near Ajuwon Bus Stop in Ogun State, as emergency responders intensified efforts to rescue victims from the rubble.

Hope of finding survivors alive remained high after some of the trapped occupants were reportedly still responding to mobile phone calls from relatives and friends while rescue operations continued at the scene.

According to eyewitness accounts, only one male resident managed to escape moments before the building gave way. The survivor was said to have informed neighbours that his wife and children were still trapped beneath the collapsed structure.

An eyewitness, identified simply as Oladimeji Bashir, said the trapped occupants were still showing signs of life.

“The people trapped in the building just received a phone call. It proves they are still alive,” Anthony said.
Officials of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service were at the scene coordinating rescue efforts, while residents joined emergency personnel in searching for those trapped beneath the debris.

As of the time of filing this report, rescue operations were still ongoing, while authorities had yet to confirm the number of victims or establish the cause of the building collapse.