Ikoyi Building Collapse: Death Toll Rises To 45

The Lagos state government on Wednesday, November 10, disclosed that the death toll from the collapsed 21-storey building in the Ikoyi area of Lagos has risen to 45.

Commissioner for information and strategy Gbenga Omotoso said in a statement that identification of bodies of the victims has been ongoing at the Infectious Diseases Hospital, Yaba, Lagos Mainland.

Mr Omotoso also said that vehicular movement around the site has been smooth following the reopening of the road.

“So, far, 32 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.

”A committee to supervise the identification and release of the bodies has begun work. It comprises senior officials of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Justice,” he said.

Omotoso said that contrary to speculations, no directive had been given for the demolition of the two high-rise buildings standing at the site of the 21-storey collapsed building an Ikoyi.

He said that the panel of inquiry instituted to establish issues surrounding the collapse of the building had continued to sit and an integrity test was yet to be conducted on the buildings.

The commissioner said that it was, therefore, wrong to assert or speculate that the buildings would be demolished.

The high-rise block of luxury flats under construction at Gerrard Road, Ikoyi had collapsed on November 1. More than 10 persons survived the incident.