Death toll hits 22, 132 wounded in Jos school building collapse – Official
22 persons have been confirmed killed and 132 others were wounded after a school building collapsed in the Plateau State capital, Jos, north central Nigeria on Friday.
The incident occurred at about 8:30 a.m. on Friday, when the students were writing their third term examination.
While giving updates on the sad incident, Musa Ashoms, the commissioner for Information, said six of the injured were in critical condition.
The collapsed two-story building, belonging to Saint Academy in the Busa Buji community of Jos north district in the state, sparked fears of significant student and teacher casualties.
Reports say about five students were earlier rescued alive as rescue efforts are commenced to free other trapped victims.
Reports added that rescued victims are being rushed to different hospitals by ambulances of various organisations, including the FRSC, NEMA, Red Cross, Army, Police, and many others.
In the meantime, Governor Caleb Mutfwang has described the incident as a tragedy and a monumental loss to the state.
Mr Mutfwang stated this in a statement issued by Gyang Bere, his Director of Press and Public Affairs, on Friday in Jos.
He described the incident as heart-wrenching and unfortunate.
”This is tragic, unfortunate, heart-wrenching and a gloomy situation.
”We appreciate the timely intervention of the search and rescue team, as well as members of the public, who rushed to the school premises to assist in evacuating some of the surviving students and staff.
”I have directed the relevant government agencies, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and Plateau State Emergency Management Agency, to provide necessary support to survivors.
Words cannot fully comfort the grieving families over their immense loss, so we pray that God will continue to console and uphold them during this difficult period,” Mr Mutfwang said.
”The rationale for the executive order 003 is to prevent Jos from deteriorating into a slum, and to ensure compliance with building regulations in line with the Greater Jos Master Plan,” the governor said.
