Disaster struck in Papa-Ajao area of Mushin Lagos State today (Sunday) as a mosque on Yusuf Street collapsed killing three worshipers and seven injured.
Platforms Africa reported that the incident happened around 01:40pm after the congregation just observed (suhr) prayer.
A source at the scene and a notable Imam in Papa Ajao told Slye News that the mosque collapsed as a result of excavation by the Lagos State Government in a bid to expand Yusuf street.
According to the source, the excavation of drainages started from the other side of the street and got to the Mosque, which is located almost at the end of the street today (Sunday), but unfortunately the the drainage was too close to the foundation of the mosque.
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He regretted that what could have been a laudable road construction project by the state government brought sadness to the people of Papa Ajao.
Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Emergency Management Authority (LASEMA), Dr Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, said preliminary investigation carried out upon arrival at the scene revealed that an excavator clearing the road recklessly hit the mosque (a storey building) by the road side which resulted to the mosque collapsing as prayer was about to commence.
He said four victims were immediately rushed to the hospital. A total of 10 people were trapped beneath the rubble.
“Search and Rescue of the victims trapped under the rubbles under the supervision of the PS was conducted with the aid of the Agency’s heavy duty equipment Crane, Hiab and an excavator.
Giving the final update on the incident this evening, he said: “Following an extensive exercise, final casualty report on the above incident is that 3 fatalities and 7 casualties varying in severity.
“The affected buildings have been leveled to ground zero,” he concluded.
Slye News gathered that the Chief Imam of Lagos will visit the site tomorrow (Monday).
SLYE NEWS
