Ikoyi building collapse: Rescue operations to continue until ‘nobody is left in the rubble,’ says Lagos
Lagos Government has states that search and rescue operations at the site of the collapsed 21-storey building in Ikoyi will continue until ‘the site is cleared and nobody is left in the rubble.’
This is also the government informed that identification of bodies of the victims of the Ikoyi building collapse has continued at the Mainland Hospital, Yaba (formerly known as the Infectious Diseases Hospital, IDH), Lagos.
Lagos Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, while providing an update on the accident, Tuesday, also said that 29 families have come forward to submit samples for DNA to identify bodies that they wish to claim.
“The identification of bodies of the victims of the Ikoyi building collapse has continued at the IDH, Yaba, Lagos Mainland. Twenty-nine families have come forward to submit samples for DNA to identify bodies that they wish to claim. In cases where identification is clear and there are no arguments, the bodies will be released to the families as from this week.
“A committee to supervise the identification and release of the bodies has been set up. It comprises senior officials of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Justice.
“At the site, the operation continues. It will go on until the site is cleared and nobody is left in the rubble of the collapsed 21-storey edifice.
“The Panel of Inquiry set up by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to find out why the building went down and suggest ways of stopping such incidents has continued its sittings. It is collecting documents that may help unravel the mystery of the collapsed building,” the commissioner said.
A 21-storey building under construction on Gerrard Road, Ikoyi had collapsed, penultimate Monday afternoon, November 1, trapping an estimated 50 workers inside. About 44 bodies have so far been recovered including that of the owner of the property.
The building, located at 20, Gerrard Road, which collapsed at about 3pm, was part of three towers being built by private developer, Fourscore Homes.
Fourscore Homes and Investment Limited, according to Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) documents, is owned by now late businessman, Mr. Olufemi Adegoke Osibona, who reportedly died in the accident.