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SEARCH: Rescuers work at the site where a building collapsed in Lagos, Nigeria

RESCUERS IN Nigeria are racing to save children from rubble after a three-story building that contained a primary school collapsed yesterday.

Around 100 students were inside when the building came down.

So far around 37 people have been rescued from the collapsed building. At least 10 people have died. The number of people who remain missing is not known.

According to reports, the building had been marked for demolition last year and its occupants were asked to leave.

One local resident, Mohammed Muftau, told the BBC that the building had been “cracking” for a long time and that people had complained about it.

Akinwunmi Ambode, the governor of Lagos State, where the building is located, attended the site of the collapse yesterday. He said the response team is doing “everything possible to rescue more people and provide medical attention to survivors”.

He said: “I am deeply saddened by the loss of precious lives in the collapse of a building in Lagos Island today. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who lost loved ones in this unfortunate incident.”

Ambode has said a full investigation into the cause of the collapse will take place and that there will be “punishment” for those responsible, The Guardian reported.

Recently re-elected Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari has also expressed his sadness at the news of the collapse.

On Twitter, he wrote: “I’m extremely saddened by the news of the collapsed building in Itafaaji area of Lagos. It touches one to lose precious lives in any kind of mishap, particularly those so young and tender. May God grant everyone affected by this sad incident fortitude and succour.”

He added: “I charge the Lagos State government to do all that is needful, so that such tragic developments do not recur.”

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