In a heartbreaking incident that has left the community in shock, a two-storey building at Saints Academy, a secondary and primary school in the Busa-Buji community of Jos North Local Area, collapsed on Friday morning.
The tragic event unfolded around 8:30 am while students were taking their third term examinations, leading to numerous casualties. As per Musa Ashoms, the Commissioner for Information, six of the injured are in critical condition and are currently undergoing treatment in different tertiary health facilities within the state. The deceased have been laid to rest in local mortuaries, marking a day of immense sorrow for the community.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has termed the collapse as a monumental loss, expressing profound sorrow over the tragedy. In a statement released by Mr. Gyang Bere, his Director of Press and Public Affairs, the governor conveyed his condolences to the families of the victims and acknowledged the grave impact of the incident.
"This is tragic, unfortunate, heart-wrenching, and a gloomy situation," Mutfwang expressed, underscoring the emotional burden on the affected families and the wider community.
The governor commended the swift response of the search-and-rescue teams and the public who rushed to the scene to assist in evacuating the surviving students and staff. "We appreciate the timely intervention of the search-and-rescue team, as well as members of the public, who rushed to the school premises to assist in evacuating some of the surviving students and staff,” he said. This prompt action undoubtedly played a crucial role in saving lives and providing immediate support to those in distress.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and despair as rescuers worked tirelessly to pull trapped students and teachers from the rubble. The collapsed structure, which served as an educational hub for many young minds, now stands as a grim reminder of the vulnerability of infrastructural integrity in educational institutions. Parents, guardians, and community members gathered anxiously at the site, hoping for news of their loved ones amidst the devastation.
The injured are being treated across various tertiary health facilities, where medical personnel are working around the clock to provide necessary care. The critical condition of some victims underscores the severity of the injuries sustained during the collapse. Medical teams are doing their utmost to stabilize these patients and offer the best possible care under the circumstances.
As investigations into the cause of the collapse begin, the community is left grappling with grief and uncertainty.
The incident has sparked calls for stricter building regulations and oversight to prevent such tragedies in the future. For now, the focus remains on providing support to the affected families and ensuring that the injured receive the care they need. The collapsed building of Saints Academy stands as a somber testament to the lives lost and the resilience of those left behind.
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