A tragic incident unfolded in north-central Nigeria when a two-storey school building collapsed during morning classes at the Saints Academy college in Plateau state's Busa Buji community. The collapse resulted in the death of 22 students, many of whom were 15 years old or younger. Initially, 154 students were trapped in the rubble, but swift efforts by rescue teams managed to free 132 of them, who are now receiving treatment in various hospitals.
The collapse prompted a massive response from Nigeria's emergency services, including rescue workers, health personnel, and security forces. Excavators were deployed to clear debris, while villagers gathered around the site, offering assistance and expressing grief. The National Emergency Management Agency was instrumental in coordinating the rescue efforts.
Authorities swiftly attributed the tragedy to the school's "weak structure and location near a riverbank," highlighting broader concerns about building safety and enforcement of regulations in Nigeria. They urged other schools facing similar structural issues to suspend operations until safety measures could be assured.
This incident underscores the recurring problem of building collapses in Nigeria, attributed to lax enforcement of safety standards and inadequate maintenance practices. Despite efforts to address these issues, such disasters continue to pose a significant risk to public safety across the country.
