Three bodies have been recovered from the ruins of the Great Nigeria Insurance building on Martin Street, Lagos Island, three days after a devastating fire gutted the high-rise structure, emergency authorities confirmed on Friday.
According to a casualty report released by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the deceased include one adult female and two adult males, all recovered from the collapsed sections of the building during ongoing search and rescue operations.
LASEMA disclosed that eight males, including a firefighter, sustained varying degrees of injuries during the incident. All were treated at nearby hospitals and have since been discharged. In addition, three males and two females who suffered minor injuries received first aid at the scene and were also released.
Confirming the development, LASEMA said rescue operations remain active amid fears that more people may still be trapped beneath the debris.
“Search and rescue operations are ongoing to locate other reportedly trapped victims within the affected structure,” the agency stated.
The coordinated operation involves LASEMA Response Teams, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Nigerian Red Cross Society, and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, with heavy equipment deployed to carefully remove rubble from unstable sections of the building.
Emergency officials have continued to cordon off the area to ensure public safety while investigators assess the cause of the fire and the extent of structural damage. Authorities have urged residents and business owners in the vicinity to cooperate with emergency personnel as operations continue.
The fire outbreak, which occurred earlier in the week, sparked widespread concern due to the building’s location in a densely populated commercial area of Lagos Island. While the cause of the incident has not yet been officially determined, investigations are ongoing.
LASEMA reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to saving lives and preventing further loss. “All relevant agencies remain on ground, working tirelessly to ensure that anyone still trapped is rescued and that the area is made safe,” the agency said.
Residents have been advised to remain calm, avoid the scene, and report any relevant information that may assist rescue teams as efforts continue.
