2021 Lagos high-rise collapse
Date | 1 November 2021 |
---|---|
Time | 2:45 p.m. (UTC+01:00) |
Location | 44BCD Gerrard Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria |
Coordinates | 6°27′24″N 3°26′37″E / 6.45656°N 3.44358°ECoordinates: 6°27′24″N 3°26′37″E / 6.45656°N 3.44358°E |
Type | Building collapse |
Deaths | 22+ |
On 1 November 2021, a high-rise block of flats in Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria, collapsed. It was in the process of being built much higher than authorised. At least 22 people were killed. A rescue effort is ongoing and the state government is conducting an investigation.
Background
Fourscore Homes, a United Kingdom-registered company financed and was undertaking (including having commissioned subcontractors for) the construction of a trio of highrise buildings at 44BCD (or 20) Gerrard Road, in the Ikoyi neighborhood of Lagos, Nigeria, called the "360 Degrees Towers". The company is headed by a Nigerian experienced developer Femi Osibona, whose full name is Olufemi Adegoke Osibona.
One of the buildings was a 21-story luxury residential high-rise tower. In February 2020, consultancy firm Prowess Engineering Limited withdrew from the project over concerns regarding the integrity of that building. The Lagos State Building Control Agency had approved only 15 floors, but 21 had been built.
Collapse
On 1 November 2021, at 2:45 p.m. UTC+01:00, one of the three "360 Degrees Towers", a 21-story building, collapsed. Twenty-two people have been confirmed dead, and many more are trapped in the rubble; an official estimate is that up to 40 workers were on site at the time. Osibona was near the building at the time of collapse.
A rescue effort is being conducted by the National Emergency Management Agency in Lagos State (NEMA), and other responders. It is being supervised by the Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, and the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development. According NEMA, the military is scheduled to "take over operations".
As of 2 November, nine people have been rescued. As of 3 November no new survivors have been found; governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said that the search is ongoing.
Investigation
Gbolahan Oki, the general manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency, announced on 2 November that the owner of the building has been arrested and would be prosecuted. The state government suspended the chief architect, and is conducting an investigation through an independent panel, which has been allotted 30 days to disclose findings.
See also
- 2006 Lagos building collapses
- Synagogue Church building collapse
- 2016 Lagos building collapse
- Uyo church collapse
- 2019 Lagos school collapse
Notes
- ^ Named in some sources as "Fourscore Heights".