Toddlers are among those trapped in the rubble of the building that collapsed Wednesday morning in Lagos, it has been revealed. A witness said aside the primary school in the building, there is a section that served as crèche, adding that toddlers are among those trapped underneath the rubble.
One of the witnesses said that a teacher in the school who summoned courage to make calls while underneath the heap of debris said she was surrounded by toddlers. She reportedly asked that water be poured on the rubble to assuage the heat generated underneath the heap.
Meanwhile, Lagos State Government has assured parents and guardians that rescue operations were on top gear. Some of the persons rescued were rushed to the hospital. Officials of the state government could not confirm any casualty but some witnesses said some of the rescued persons appeared lifeless.
The Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Adebule, gave this assurance when she visited the victims at General Hospital, Marina, Lagos.
Adebule said that rescue operations were on to ensure the safety of the trapped pupils and staff of the collapsed school.
A three-storey building housing the Ohen Nursery/Primary School in Lagos Island, collapsed in the early hours of Wednesday. Some pupils and staff of the school were still trapped in the rubbles.
Adebule, however, urged the parents to remain calm and be prayerful as rescue operations had been put on top gear by the state government to ensure that not too many casualties were recorded.
“We commiserate with the families of the affected pupils and staff.
“We are urging parents, who are anxious to see their children and wards, to allow medical doctors and government’s rescue team to do their work in rescuing and protecting the lives of the victims.
“We are also assuring you that the state government will do its utmost to ensure that the best medical attention is given to those that have been rescued so far.
“We are also intensifying efforts to safely rescue other pupils and staff that are still trapped,” Adebule assured them.
The deputy governor said that it was too early to give the numbers of the casualty.
She said that the state government would issue an official information on the tragic incident very soon.
