Nigeria's emergency management agency confirmed that "several students" were killed in the collapse of a school building. Images from the scene depicted rescue workers and parents rushing towards the site in a frantic effort to assist.
Tragedy in Jos: School Building Collapses During Class
A school building in Nigeria collapsed on Friday, resulting in the tragic deaths of several students, as reported by government authorities. The incident occurred in Busa Buji, located in Jos, Plateau State, east of Abuja.
According to Nigeria's Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the collapse involved a two-story building housing Saint Academy (School) in Busa Buji, Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State. Images from the scene were shared online by NEMA. One of the injured students, Wulliya Ibrahim, recounted his experience to AFP, stating, "I entered the class not more than five minutes when I heard a sound, and the next thing is I found myself here. We are many in the class, we are writing our exams." He spoke from his hospital bedside with his mother present.
Hospital officials reported that at least 15 rescued and injured students were admitted. Reuters cited an eyewitness who reported that seven motionless bodies had been recovered from the rubble. Police, soldiers, and civilians were gathered near the site to assist with rescue efforts.
NEMA confirmed that their staff, along with other critical stakeholders, were actively engaged in search and rescue operations. The cause of the collapse was not immediately clear, but recent heavy rainfall, with more thunderstorms forecasted, may have played a role.