School collapse in Nigeria leaves over 22 children dead as rescuers search site
Date
7/14/2024 5:18:30 AM
(MENAFN) On Friday, a tragic incident in northern Nigeria resulted in the deaths of twenty-two children when part of the Saints Academy college collapsed in the Busa Buji community of Plateau state. The catastrophe occurred as students, many of whom were 15 years old or younger, arrived for their morning classes. The collapse trapped a total of 154 pupils, with rescuers managing to save 132 of them, who were subsequently treated for injuries at local hospitals, according to a police spokesperson.
As the rescue efforts unfolded, dozens of locals gathered near the school, anxiously watching as emergency responders searched through the rubble for any remaining survivors. In the midst of the chaos, a woman who tried to approach the debris was held back by rescuers, highlighting the urgency and sensitivity of the situation.
Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency dispatched rescue and health workers, along with security forces, to the scene to assist in locating trapped students. Plateau state's commissioner for information, Musa Ashoms, stated that to ensure immediate medical care, the government has instructed hospitals to prioritize treatment for victims without requiring documentation or payment.
The state government has attributed the building's collapse to its “weak structure and location near a riverbank,” urging schools in similar situations to cease operations for safety reasons. This incident adds to a worrying trend, as more than a dozen building collapses have been reported in Nigeria over the past two years. Authorities frequently cite the failure to enforce building safety regulations and inadequate maintenance as contributing factors to these tragedies.
Cristian Munduate, the UNICEF Nigeria representative, expressed sorrow over the loss of young lives at Saints Academy on social media platform X, emphasizing the heartbreaking reality that these children were taking exams when the building fell. He extended his deepest condolences to the families affected by this devastating event.
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