The Plateau State Government expressed profound sorrow over a devastating school building collapse in the Busa Buji community of Jos on Friday morning, resulting in 17 confirmed deaths and trapping over 120 individuals.
The collapse occurred at the Saint Academy building around 8:30 am, during class hours. The state Commissioner for Information, Musa Ashoms, provided an update on the incident, revealing that the weak structure and unsafe location near a riverbank contributed to the tragedy.
Ashoms acknowledged the commendable rescue efforts by NEMA, SEMA, the Red Cross, and security agencies, who have been working tirelessly to evacuate and transport injured students and teachers to hospitals across Jos.
The government has mandated that hospitals prioritize treatment for the victims without the need for documentation or payment. The Commissioner of Health has ordered major hospitals to attend to the injured promptly. As of now, about 120 people remain trapped, with many already evacuated and receiving medical care.
The incident underscores the critical need for adherence to safety standards, with the government emphasizing the enforcement of Executive Order 003. Schools with structural concerns are urged to close temporarily to prevent future tragedies.
The Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Sunday Àbdu, confirmed the death toll and ongoing rescue efforts. According to Àbdu, Bingham University Teaching Hospital has 13 fatalities and 43 injured, OLA Specialist Hospital has over 40 injured, and Plateau Specialists Hospital reports four deaths and 40 receiving treatment. Additional casualties were taken to Jos University Teaching Hospital, though exact numbers are not yet available.
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