Jos, Nigeria — Tragedy struck at Saint Academy in the Busa Buji community of Jos North Local Government Area on Friday morning when the school building disastrously collapsed, claiming at least 22 lives and leaving 154 others injured or missing. The incident marked a grim day for Plateau State as emergency services rushed to the scene to aid the impacted families and search for survivors amidst the debris.
The state government swiftly activated its emergency response protocol following the collapse, which occurred around 8:30 a.m. Musa Ashoms, the state Commissioner for Information, conveyed the government’s profound sorrow and commitment to thorough investigation to prevent future tragedies. According to Ashoms, 154 individuals have been accounted for, including those rescued from the rubble and the casualties.
In the wake of the collapse, hospitals throughout Jos have been inundated with victims. Reports indicated that Plateau State Specialist Hospital housed 39 patients and reported three deaths, while Bingham University Teaching Hospital attended to 55 individuals and confirmed 14 fatalities. Other local medical facilities like Our Lady of Apostles and Jos University Teaching Hospital are also providing care to the injured, with various degrees of critical cases.
Emergency services, including the National Emergency Management Agency, Plateau State Emergency Management Agency, Red Cross, and numerous healthcare professionals, were mobilized to manage the crisis. Responders worked tirelessly at the site of the collapse and facilitated the transport of injured parties to medical facilities across the city.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang, who visited the site, expressed his deepest condolences and urged healthcare facilities to prioritize the victims. The governor’s decrees ensured victims received necessary medical attention swiftly, emphasizing treatment over documentation or financial capabilities at this critical time.
The state government also highlighted the importance of adhering to building safety regulations to prevent such incidents. It was noted that the collapsed structure had violated multiple safety protocols, including being dangerously positioned near a riverbank which may have compromised the building’s integrity.
Local authorities are set to investigate the building’s compliance with construction and safety standards. The Jos Metropolitan Development Board is tasked with ensuring rigorous enforcement of these standards and scheduled to conduct inspections of similar structures to intervene before any further mishaps occur.
Moreover, in response to the disaster, the government stressed enforcement of Executive Order 003, which is designed to shut down facilities that pose structural risks. Educational institutions and other building owners suspected of violating safety regulations were urged to cease operations pending safety evaluations.
The national response to the catastrophe was one of united mourning and swift action. President Bola Tinubu expressed his grief late Friday, labeling the incident an immeasurable national loss and a distressing development that was hard to comprehend. His statement called for unified efforts to support the affected families and prevent repeatability of such disasters.
The community’s response was palpable at the site as parents and locals gathered, many in tears, hoping for positive news about their loved ones. Despite the quick response from authorities and clear directives from government officials, the community is left grappling with the harsh realities of an avoidable disaster and the pressing need for more stringent enforcement of safety regulations. This tragedy serves as a sobering reminder of the vital importance of strict adherence to safety standards in building construction and maintenance, especially in educational institutions.