Collapsed School Building: 22 confirmed dead,132 hospitalized, over 120 still trapped

The death toll from a tragic school building collapse in Jos, Plateau State, has now reached 22, with 120 people still trapped in the rubble.

The collapse occurred on Friday morning at Saint Academy in the Busa Buji community of Jos North Local Government Area. The two-story building suddenly gave way around 8:30 am while students and teachers were in their classrooms.

Plateau State Commissioner for Information, Musa Ashoms, provided an update on the situation, stating, “Sadly, 22 individuals have been confirmed deceased. Injured students and staff are receiving medical treatment at various hospitals across Jos.”

According to the latest figures, 39 victims were admitted to Plateau State Specialist Hospital, with 3 fatalities. Our Lady of Apostles Hospital treated 32 people and recorded 5 deaths. Bingham University Teaching Hospital received 55 admissions and reported 14 deaths, while Jos University Teaching Hospital took in 6 victims, with no reported fatalities.

Photo: Scene of School Building Collapse in Jos.

In total, 132 people have been hospitalized, and 22 have died, bringing the overall number of victims to 154. The Plateau State Government has expressed profound sorrow over the “avoidable tragedy,” pointing to the school’s weak structure and unsafe location near a riverbank as contributing factors.

Rescue efforts are ongoing, involving the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Red Cross, and security agencies, as they work to evacuate the 120 people still trapped.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang has directed all major hospitals in Jos to prioritize the treatment of victims, regardless of documentation or payment. Additionally, he has instructed the Jos Metropolitan Development Board to conduct inspections to prevent future incidents.

President Bola Tinubu has also expressed deep grief over the “tragic collapse of a school building, which resulted in multiple deaths and many surviving victims.” He described the incident as a “huge loss to the nation” and a “devastating development.”