The death toll from the fire that gutted the Great Nigeria Building in the Balogun Market area of Lagos Island, Lagos State, has risen from eight to 10, as two more bodies were recovered from the scene of the incident.
PUNCH Metro earlier reported that the fire incident, which occurred on Wednesday, December 24, started on the fourth floor and spread to the sixth floor of the 25-storey building before engulfing the remaining floors and adjoining structures.
A detached section of the plaza, estimated to be about seven floors high, collapsed during the inferno, trapping traders and market assistants.
Emergency responders at the scene rescued seven individuals shortly after the collapse, while eight bodies were recovered from the rubble during rescue and recovery operations days after the incident.
Our correspondent, however, gathered from a source at the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Services on Sunday that two more bodies were recovered between Sunday, January 4, and Monday, January 5.
“As the recovery operations progressed, two more bodies were recovered from the rubble between Sunday and Monday last week, and they were immediately taken to the mortuary,” the source disclosed.
Another source at the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, who requested anonymity as he was not permitted to speak to the press, said the agency would likely reach ground zero this week.
“We are closer to reaching ground zero, and that will most likely be this week. Our permanent secretary will provide full details on the outcome as soon as we get to that point.”
When contacted on Sunday, the spokesperson for the state fire service, Shakiru Amodu, confirmed the development. “Yes, two more people were recovered last week,” he said.
PUNCH Metro had earlier reported that more than 20 individuals were trapped under the rubble.
Relatives who spoke to our correspondent in separate interviews also provided names and photographs of their affected loved ones.
The identified victims include Elo Chukwu, Omeigbo Chuwuebuka, Omeigbo Chukwudubem, Kayode Omoniyi, Ikechukwudi Asobi and Murphy Aborinwa.
Others are Onyeka Obinwa, Mercy Ukamaka, and Taofeeq Opera, as well as a trader identified as Chiding and two of his boys.
The remaining trapped persons include several other market assistants whose identities could not be ascertained. It was also gathered that some bodies recovered during the excavation process were burnt beyond recognition.
Meanwhile, the bodies of the victims recovered from the rubble have been handed to their relatives.
This included a China-based clothier, identified simply as Obum, and a yet-to-be-identified adult female
Others are the Omatu brothers, with each identified as Steve (40), Casmir (39) and Collins (37). The siblings will be buried on Wednesday.
