A two-story school building collapse in Nigeria’s central Plateau state has resulted in 22 fatalities, according to a Reuters report citing Sky News. The incident occurred at Saint Academy in the Busa Buji community of Jos North district.
Reuters reports that 154 people were initially trapped under the debris when the building collapsed around 0730 GMT during school hours on July 12, 2024. All survivors have been rescued and are receiving medical treatment at various hospitals, with 30 individuals still hospitalized, according to Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
The rescue operation has concluded, and the site has been cleared, NEMA stated in a social media post.
Reuters notes that building collapses are unfortunately common in Nigeria, often due to lax safety regulations and the use of substandard construction materials. This incident highlights ongoing concerns about structural integrity in Africa’s most populous country.
A Reuters photograph shows the aftermath of the collapse, with rescue workers and onlookers gathered around the rubble of the former school building.
This tragic event underscores the urgent need for improved building safety measures and stricter enforcement of construction standards in Nigeria to prevent future disasters.
