The search and rescue team of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency has commenced search for a man trapped in an underground drainage at Onipanu bus stop area of the state.
The Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, made this known in a statement on Monday in Lagos.
Mr Oke-Osanyintolu said that following an SOS message on the distress situation of a drainage worker, LASEMA activated the state’s Emergency Response Plans from its Onipanu base.
He said that upon arrival of the emergency responders at the incident scene, investigations showed that an adult male de-silting drainages along that axis in attempts to clear a blocked portion, accessed the underground tunnel and got trapped.
He said that further investigation at the incident scene revealed that the man was a drain ducks worker employed by LAMATA.
He added that while trying to dislodge and evacuate debris from the underground drainage, the man unfortunately got trapped in between the tunnel.
“In conducting the search and rescue operation, LASEMA Response Team and emergency responders are working together assiduously to rescue the trapped victim from inside the underground drainage, which commenced at 16: 25hrs. In order to hasten positive results, sophisticated equipment has been deployed to the penetrative of the manhole to save the worker’s life. Strategic efforts have also been employed to block off, and divert inflow of water from the Ilupeju axis to reduce the volume of underground flooding. Search and rescue operation is still ongoing,” Mr Oke-Osanyintolu said.
He listed emergency responders at the scene to include the LASEMA Response Team at Onipanu, the Lagos Fire and Rescue Service, LAMATA, KAI and LASTMA.
(NAN)