At least six people were killed Wednesday and 30 rescued when a four-storey building collapsed in the central business district of Nigeria’s commercial hub, Lagos, an emergency rescue source said.
“Six people were pulled out dead and there are more people still trapped under the rubble,” the source with the National Emergency Management Services (NEMA), told AFP.
The ground floor of the building, an old structure in Lagos’ Idumota district, is used as a shopping mall, while the other floors hold apartments, the source said.
NEMA rescuers suspended the operation early evening for what one official said was for “safety reasons”.
NEMA spokesman Yushau Shuaib confirmed there were casualties but was unable to immediately give details, only saying the agency had rescued 30 people.
Building collapse is not uncommon in Nigeria where contractors get away with sub-standard materials and shoddy workmanship.
“We can’t continue to tolerate contractors using inferior materials for building where innocent (people) are victims,” Muhammad Sidi, the chief of the rescue agency said.
Jul72011