THE Lagos State government has launched a probe into the collapse of a seven-storey building under construction on Banana Island, Ikoyi.

The state government said its officials were assessing the high-rise building, which had been under construction for months.

The building collapsed suddenly on Wednesday evening with many workers inside.

The state government has also suspended all development plans on the Island until a comprehensive audit of the situation is done.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, said the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) would be conducting the probe.

So far, 25 people have been rescued from the wreckage by emergency responders, with 16 victims currently receiving treatment.

Omotoso confirmed that nobody died in the incident.

He said, “LASEMA confirmed that no one was trapped in the building and a roll call has also been done by the site supervisors, with everyone accounted for.

“Of the 25 persons rescued by LASEMA, 16 with moderate injuries were admitted at General Hospital, Odan, Lagos Island and Police Hospital, Falomo for treatment and care. Nine others with minor injuries, such as bruises, were treated and discharged at the site by the Lagos State Ambulance Services.

“Of the 16 persons on admission, 11 were taken to Police Hospital, Falomo. Eight of the 11 persons have been treated and discharged. Some are required to come for daily follow-up and management. Three with various injuries, including blunt traumatic chest injury, knee injuries, deep lacerations, and others, are on admission.”

There have been several incidents of building collapse in Lagos.

In the last decade, the state has recorded no less than 115 incidents of building collapse.

Lagos recorded the highest number of incidents between 2021 and 2022, each with, at least, 20 cases.

In some cases, there were no fatalities, while in others, scores of people perished in the rubble.

The collapse of a 21-storey building at Gerard Road, Ikoyi, in November 2021 led to the death of about 45 people.

Also, the collapse of a building at the Lekki Gardens in Ikoyi in 2016 claimed the lives of about 35 people.

According to LASEMA, between January and July 2022, Lagos recorded no less than 30 cases of total building collapse.