A three-story building collapsed on a primary school in Lagos, Nigeria shortly after the day’s classes had begun, sparking fears that many children were killed or are trapped beneath the rubble.

The collapse happened at roughly 10am local time on Wednesday. Initial reports indicate that at least 10 children have been pulled from the rubble so far as rescue workers scramble to save lives. Many more are feared dead.

There was no immediate information on any casualties, Ibrahim Farinloye, spokesman for the National Emergency Management Agency’s southwest region, said.

On social media, pictures and videos of distressed parents reportedly rushing to the school were shared.

Nigeria is frequently hit by building collapses, with weak enforcement of regulations and poor construction materials often used. In 2016, more than 100 people were killed when a church came down in southeastern Nigeria.

In Lagos that same year, a five-storey building still under construction collapsed, killing at least 30 people.

A floating school built to withstand storms and floods was also brought down in Lagos in 2016, though nobody was reported injured. — Punch