At least 24 victims, mostly children have been rescued from a three-story building which collapsed in the Ita Faji area of Lagos Island.

The children, most of which are pupils of a primary school located on the top floor of the building, were rescued by officials from emergency rescue agencies and residents of the area, as hundreds swarmed the site.

Nine persons have been confirmed dead as officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Police, Army and National Security and Civil Defence Force (NSCDC) have continued with rescue operations.

The building, situated at Massey Street in the Ita Faji area of Lagos Island, is said to be about 30 years old.

It is one of those which had since been marked by the Federal Government for demolition in the densely populated area.

It, however, caved in at about 9:45 am on Wednesday, raising fears for the lives of the hundreds of inhabitants.