At least 10 killed as building collapses in southwestern Nigeria

By Timothy Olanrewaju

LAGOS, Nigeria (AA) - At least 10 people were killed and seven others injured as a building in Nigeria's populated southwestern city collapsed, an official said on Thursday.

A two-story private residence collapsed in the Ona Ara area of Ibadan, Nigeria's third largest city and the capital of Oyo State, according to Akinyemi Akinyinka, the head of the State Fire Services.

"The Oyo State Fire Services Agency received a distressed call this morning ... 10 victims have been recovered from the debris, while seven persons were rescued alive," Akinyinka told reporters.

He said the injured were taken to hospital while search and rescue operations continue.

Residents said they heard loud sounds and calls for help from occupants of the building as it collapsed.

Building collapses are common in Nigeria, often blamed on lack of building safety regulations and poor maintenance.