At least 22 children have lost their lives and over 130 have been injured after two separate school buildings collapsed in Nigeria's Plateau state. The incidents occurred on Friday morning, leaving many families devastated and communities in shock.
The first collapse happened at Saint Academy in the Busa Buji community of Jos, where children were left trapped under the debris. According to reports, a crack appeared in the wall before the floor gave way.
Local resident Abel Fuandai described the tragedy as 'frightening' after his friend's son was among those killed. Injured student Wulliya Ibrahim stated that he entered the class just before the collapse and found himself in hospital.
Rescue efforts were ongoing, with volunteers using excavators, hammers, and their bare hands to break through the concrete and twisted iron rods to reach those trapped. The cause of the collapse is not yet known but residents suspect it may be due to heavy rains in Plateau state.
A second collapse occurred at a private school in Jos, where at least 22 people, including students and staff, were killed. Teiyei John, a student who survived with minor injuries, reported that he heard a sound and found himself trapped under the rubble. Rescue workers are still searching for survivors.
These incidents come after several similar collapses in Nigeria over the past two years. Authorities have urged schools facing similar issues to close down and enforce building safety regulations to prevent further tragedies.
The Plateau state government has instructed hospitals to prioritize treatment without documentation or payment for those injured in the collapses. Our thoughts are with the families of those affected by these tragic incidents.
