Tragedy Strikes as 22 Students Killed in School Building Collapse in Plateau State, Nigeria

The tragic collapse of a two-story school in northern Nigeria has left 22 students dead and more than 100 people trapped in the rubble. The incident occurred at the Saints Academy college in Plateau state’s Busa Buji community during morning classes on Friday.

Rescuers are working tirelessly to free those still trapped in the debris, with 132 students already rescued and receiving treatment for their injuries in various hospitals. The authorities initially reported at least 12 fatalities, but the death toll has since risen to 22.

Witnesses described a scene of chaos and grief as villagers gathered near the collapsed building, some weeping while others offered their assistance. The National Emergency Management Agency and other rescue teams are on site, working to locate and rescue any remaining trapped individuals.

The state government has attributed the collapse to the school’s weak structure and its proximity to a riverbank, urging other schools facing similar issues to shut down for safety reasons. Building collapses are unfortunately not uncommon in Nigeria, with over a dozen such incidents reported in the past two years.

The government has called for stricter enforcement of building safety regulations and better maintenance practices to prevent future tragedies like this one. In the meantime, the focus remains on the rescue efforts to save as many lives as possible in the wake of this devastating event.