A Nigerian lady whose shop was located near a three-storey shopping complex that collapsed in the Alakija area of Lagos State has shared her harrowing experience. The building, which housed various businesses, came down on Thursday, June 25, 2026, trapping several occupants and prompting an emergency response from multiple agencies.
Witness Recounts Moments Before Collapse
Identified as @hairstylist626 on TikTok, the lady recounted how she arrived at her shop just minutes before the building collapsed. She said she heard a loud noise and went outside to find the area covered in dust. In her words: "I was there when it all happened. I experienced everything… I have like 5 friends who work there at the cybercafe. I was panicking at that moment." She added that her boss even helped rescue some people, and she thanked God that all five of her friends were safe.
Public Reactions and Personal Stories
The video sparked widespread reactions on social media. One user, JUS_ZORD, commented: "It was after I went for my jamb result print out that was when it collapsed ??? and there was a fine girl in there." Another, Original man, asked: "I use to stay at oluti before and I come there to do some printing jobs, pls I want to ask u, the printing man in the last fall above the betking shop, hope he too survived?" Crystal_18 noted the building's age: "That building don too old I swear ???? that building Dey before I even marry born self now my daughter is 8 u can imagine." Oma ?? added: "The cafe is my uncles cafe, and it was also my aunty that went to pick her fathers obituary papers not her husband’s own, don’t push false narratives, and my uncle died as well." Another user, That♾️girl♾️joy??, shared: "I used to go to that building to print work papers every morning today I just decided to go late and this happened." Reachy said: "My Dad survived his shop and our house is there but thank God for life." Supreme added: "Omo I just thank God for my life ooo, me that I want to go and buy hollandia milk from alhaja shop down, her shop is at the last floor facing that filling station omo."
Official Death Toll and Rescue Efforts
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed that the death toll from the collapse had risen to nine, with 26 survivors rescued. Rescue operations continued at the site using advanced equipment. The cause of the collapse remains unknown, pending the completion of the rescue mission and subsequent investigations.
