Tragic School Building Collapse in Plateau State Leaves 22 Dead and Dozens Injured

At least 22 children have tragically lost their lives, with scores injured, following a devastating school building collapse in Jos, Plateau State. The incident occurred at the Saint Academy in Jos, leaving the community in shock and grief.

The collapse of the school building, situated in a riverbank area, occurred during school hours while students were in their classes. Efforts to rescue those trapped under the debris were swiftly mobilized, with volunteers and emergency responders working tirelessly to reach the victims.

The Executive Secretary of the state Emergency Management Agency, Sunday Abdu, initially confirmed 17 casualties, but the death toll later rose to 22, with 154 individuals sustaining varying degrees of injuries.

In response to the tragic incident, Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State expressed deep sympathy to the families affected by the collapse, emphasizing the need for safety standards in building construction to prevent such calamities in the future.

The emergency response teams, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Red Cross, and State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), engaged in search and rescue operations, demonstrating a collaborative effort to save as many lives as possible.

The Plateau State Government, led by Musa Ashoms, issued a directive instructing hospitals to prioritize the treatment of the injured victims without delays based on documentation or payment constraints. The government also highlighted the importance of adhering to safety standards and ordered the closure of facilities with structural concerns.

President Bola Tinubu expressed profound grief over the tragic incident, describing it as a significant loss to the nation and extending heartfelt condolences to the families affected by the school building collapse.

The tragic event at St. Academy School behind St. Murumba in Busa Buji has drawn attention to the critical need for stringent building regulations enforced by bodies such as the Jos Metropolitan Development Board (JMDC) to ensure the safety of structures in Plateau State.