The death toll from the school building collapse in Jos, Nigeria, has risen to 22, with over 130 others injured, according to multiple sources. The two-story Saint Academy (also referred to as St. Academy or Saints Academy) collapsed on Friday, July 12, 2024, during school hours while students were taking exams.Rescue efforts have now concluded, with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) reporting that 154 people were rescued from the rubble. Of those rescued, 30 people remain hospitalized. The site has been cleared, marking the end of the search and rescue operation.The cause of the collapse is still under investigation, but local residents suggested it may be linked to three days of heavy rainfall in the area. This incident has reignited concerns about building safety in Nigeria, where lax construction standards, poor maintenance, and the use of substandard materials often contribute to such disasters.In response to the tragedy, the Plateau State government has taken immediate action. Governor Mutfwang has directed all major hospitals to prioritize treatment for the victims, regardless of documentation or payment. Additionally, schools with structural concerns have been ordered to close immediately, and an investigation into the cause of the collapse has been launched.This collapse is not an isolated incident in Nigeria. The country has seen numerous building collapses in recent years, with authorities often blaming poor construction, inadequate inspections, and failure to implement building safety regulations. In 2021, a similar incident in Lagos resulted in at least 45 deaths when a building under construction collapsed.As the community grapples with this tragedy, questions are being raised about the structural integrity of other schools and buildings in the area, and the need for more rigorous safety inspections and enforcement of building regulations.
Key points
- The death toll from the Nigeria school collapse has risen to 22, with over 130 injured.
- Rescue efforts have concluded, with 154 people rescued and 30 remaining hospitalized.
- The Plateau State government has ordered immediate closure of schools with structural concerns and prioritized medical treatment for victims.
- This incident highlights ongoing issues with building safety and regulation enforcement in Nigeria.
Contradictions👾There are slight discrepancies in the reported numbers of injured, with some sources citing ‘over 130’ and others specifying 132 or 69.
👾The exact time of the collapse varies slightly between sources, with some reporting it as 07:30 GMT and others as 8:30 am local time.
