[JUST IN] Ikoyi Building Collapse: Death Toll Hits 45

As search and recovery operations near the collapsed 21-storey building on Gerrard Road in Ikoyi, two more dead were discovered on Wednesday, bringing the total number of casualties to 45, according to the Lagos State Government.

Meanwhile, the state government stated that, contrary to rumors, no order has been issued to demolish the two high-rise buildings that exist on the site of the collapsed 21-storey building.

Mr Gbenga Omotoso, the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, made the statements in a statement on Wednesday while providing an update on the incident.

According to Omotoso: “The Panel of Inquiry instituted to establish issues surrounding the collapse of the building has continued to sit and an integrity test is yet to be conducted on the buildings.

“It is, therefore, wrong to assert or speculate that the buildings will be demolished.

“Two more bodies were recovered from the site today. The recovery of the two bodies has brought to 45 the number of bodies retrieved from the site.

“The identification of bodies of the victims of the incident has continued at Infectiious Diseases Hospital, IDH, Yaba, Lagos Mainland.

“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.”

However, the operation at the site of the collapsed building continued yesterday.

Vehicular movement around the site which had been chaotic for awhile has been smooth, following the reopening of the road.