Tragedy struck on Sunday when a mosque suddenly collapsed on worshippers, including children, at Yusuf Street, Papa Ajao, Ladipo area of Lagos State. The incident resulted in three confirmed deaths and seven injuries.

Four individuals who sustained varying degrees of injuries were rushed to the hospital, while four others were treated and discharged at the scene.

According to an eyewitness, the incident occurred when an excavator clearing silt from drainages along the road recklessly struck the mosque, causing it to collapse just as prayers were about to commence. The collapse threw the entire area into chaos as sympathizers and emergency responders rushed to rescue the trapped victims.

Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Authority (LASEMA), Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyitolu, confirmed the deaths and stated that other trapped victims were rescued from the rubble. Dr. Oke-Osanyitolu reported that upon arrival at the scene at 1:40 PM, a preliminary investigation revealed that the reckless operation of the excavator led to the collapse.

“Upon arrival at the scene at 01:40 PM, a storey building was found to have collapsed. Preliminary investigation carried out upon arrival at the scene revealed that an excavator clearing the road recklessly hit a mosque (a storey building) by the roadside, which resulted in the mosque collapsing as prayers were about to commence.

“Four victims were immediately rushed to the hospital. A total of 10 people were trapped beneath the rubble.

“One adult was retrieved dead, while the others received pre-hospital care on the scene from the agency’s Pre-Hospital Care Unit. One with serious injuries was also transferred to the hospital.”

Responders at the scene included the Agency’s response team led by the Permanent Secretary, the LRU Fire unit, Lagos State Fire Service, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA), Nigeria Police, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS). The incident highlighted the urgent need for stricter safety protocols in construction and demolition activities.