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 are assessing the high-rise building, which had been under construction for months.

The building collapsed suddenly on Wednesday evening with many workers on the site.

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

In a statement issued on Thursday, April 13, the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, said the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) will 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,” the statement added.

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 in 2021 and 2022. There were at least 20 cases in both years.

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

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

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

According to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, between January and July 2022, Lagos recorded no less than 30 cases of building collapse.