Collapsed School Building in Plateau Kills Several, Injures Many

Catastrophic Collapse During Class

In a tragic incident at Saint Academy in Jos, the capital of Nigeria’s Plateau state, a school building collapsed while students were in class on Friday morning. The collapse has led to multiple fatalities and left over a hundred students trapped beneath the debris.

Urgent Rescue Efforts Underway

As trapped pupils called for help, frantic parents and emergency responders rushed to the scene. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) confirmed that over 40 students had been rescued and taken to local hospitals for treatment, although the exact death toll is still being confirmed.

Community Response and Grief

Local resident Abel Fuandai, whose friend’s son was among the deceased, described the scale of the tragedy as “frightening.” Rescue workers and emergency officials are working tirelessly, using excavators to dig through the rubble in hopes of saving more children.

Possible Causes of the Collapse

While the exact cause of the collapse is yet to be determined, local residents noted that it followed three days of heavy rainfall in Plateau, which may have contributed to the structural failure. This disaster raises concerns about building safety standards in the region.

Historical Context of Building Collapses

This event is part of a troubling trend of building collapses in Nigeria, often attributed to poor workmanship, substandard materials, and corruption. Just in 2021, a high-rise building collapse in Lagos killed at least 45 people, highlighting ongoing issues in construction and urban planning.

National and International Reactions

The tragedy has drawn national and international attention to the safety of school infrastructure in Nigeria. As the community mourns, there is a pressing call for thorough investigation and accountability to prevent future disasters. This incident not only reflects the immediate need for improved safety standards but also the broader challenges facing educational facilities in rapidly urbanizing areas.

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