Hope in 'Short Supply': Death Toll Hits 23 in Nigerian Building Collapse, Dozens Missing

The death toll from the collapse of a high-rise apartment building in Nigeria rose to 23 after two additional bodies were found in the rubble Wednesday afternoon, according to authorities. Some are estimating that dozens are still unaccounted for after the collapse, and Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said that "hope is what is in short supply," the Associated Press reported.

"There is no pillar in any form that is holding anything," he said of the building's remains, telling families that "hope is what we all require now."

Workers were able to rescue nine people from the rubble by Tuesday, but no additional survivors were uncovered Wednesday. While it is unknown how many more people may be buried in the debris, one construction worker at the scene of the collapse estimated that there were roughly 100, leaving about 70 people still missing.

The Lagos governor said that it was not yet known how long the rescue efforts would continue, the AP reported.

For more reporting from the Associated Press, see below.

Segun Akande of the Nigerian Red Cross told the AP that rescue efforts continue, but said there seemed to be little hope for those trapped in the heap of debris.

"The chances are very slim; very, very slim," he said when asked about those still trapped.

The 21-story luxury apartment building under construction toppled Monday, and it took several hours for officials to launch the rescue effort. Authorities have arrested the property's owner, according to media reports, saying that his building permit only allowed for a 15-story structure.

By the entrance of the compound, help desks were set up for people to provide names and photos of their relatives or friends who they believed were working there when the structure crumbled.

There was also a help desk for counseling and support of distraught relatives, many of whom were lined up by the roadside.

Abel Godwin traveled 448 miles from the nation's capital, Abuja, in search of his 18-year-old son who had been employed at the site.

After arriving in Lagos at 2 a.m., he visited the government hospital where victims are being treated.

"They couldn't allow me to check whether my son is alive or dead," he lamented.

Dozens of family members have expressed anger and frustration over their inability to know the fate of their relatives.

The Lagos state government has set up an independent panel to determine the cause of the accident and whether the project developers had fully complied with building laws. The panel also is to examine whether there were any lapses by state regulators in overseeing the project.

"People are indeed upset, people are angry. I can assure you we are doing everything," the governor said.