Saints Academy, a two-storey Secondary School building situated in the Busa-Buji Area of Jos North LGA, Plateau State, collapsed this morning, July 12, 2024.
Students who were writing exams just before 11am were caught in the collapse, with many feared trapped in the rubble.
Photos from the scene depict parents crying as they rushed to the site in search of their children.
Cranes have been deployed to aid in the rescue of the trapped victims.
Speaking with journalists about the incident, Musa Ashoms, the commissioner for information and communication in Plateau, said the school had a population of about 400, adding that the section that collapsed was accommodating 200 students.
The commissioner said the collapsed school building was built on a waterlogged area, which did not meet construction standards.
“The collapsed building has resulted in casualties, and injured students are still being evacuated to hospitals,” NAN quoted Ashoms as saying.
”We cannot, however, ascertain the exact number of casualties until the evacuation is completed.
“The emergency workers are doing a lot in the rescue efforts.
“The Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has urged the medical personnel in the hospitals to ensure that they save the lives of survivors.
“They should not ask for money or anything because this is an emergency situation.”
