BTN News: A tragic event occurred on Friday morning in the central-northern part of Nigeria. A two-story school building fell down during classes. This happened at Saints Academy in Busa Buji, Plateau State. The collapse killed 22 students, most of whom were under the age of 15. The accident has led to a big rescue operation because more than 100 people were trapped under the fallen building. Authorities and emergency workers hurried to the scene to save as many lives as they could.
Many Students Were Trapped in the Rubble, Prompting a Desperate Rescue Effort
The building fell down shortly after the students had started their morning classes. At first, 154 students were reported trapped in the ruins. But Alfred Alabo, the spokesperson for the Plateau State Police, later said that 132 students were rescued. These students are now getting medical help in different hospitals for their injuries. Sadly, 22 students died in the collapse, which is a big loss for the community.
Emergency Teams and Security Forces Rushed to the Scene to Save Lives
Medical workers, rescue teams, and security forces quickly went to the site of the collapse. The National Emergency Management Agency of Nigeria was key in organizing the rescue efforts. Musa Ashoms, the Commissioner for Information in Plateau State, said that the government told hospitals to treat the injured without needing documents or payment. This was to make sure the injured got quick medical care.
Weak Structure and Proximity to Riverbank Blamed for School Collapse
The state government blamed the collapse on the “weak structure of the school and its closeness to the riverbank.” This accident has shown the serious issue of building safety in Nigeria. The government is urging schools with similar problems to close to prevent more accidents.
Local Community Filled with Sorrow and Desperation as Villagers Gathered Near the Ruins
The scene was filled with sadness and worry as many villagers came to the school ruins. Some people cried, and others tried to help, while heavy machines worked to find more survivors. Among the people was a sad woman who tried to get closer to the wreckage but was held back by others.
Building Collapses are Increasing in Nigeria Due to Poor Construction Standards
Building collapses are happening more often in Nigeria, Africa’s most populated country. In the past two years, there have been over a dozen incidents like this. These incidents are often blamed on not following building safety rules and poor maintenance. This latest accident shows the urgent need to enforce building laws strictly to protect lives.
Conclusion: The School Collapse Leaves a Deep Impact and Highlights Need for Better Building Safety
In conclusion, the fall of Saints Academy in Busa Buji has deeply affected the community and shown serious problems with building safety in Nigeria. The quick response from rescue teams and the state government’s order for hospitals to give immediate care without delay show a strong effort to handle the crisis. However, the main causes of such accidents must be fixed to stop them from happening again and to keep all students safe.
