Twenty-two children have died and at least 132 have been injured after a school building collapsed in Nigeria’s central Plateau state, local officials say.
Saint Academy in the state capital Jos caved in while students were in class on Friday morning. Children were left trapped under the debris.
Volunteers used excavators, hammers and their bare hands to break through the piles of concrete and twisted iron rods to reach many of those trapped.
Police told reporters that at least 22 children had died in the collapse, with many more receiving treatment in local hospitals.
The school is believed to have more than 1,000 pupils.
Local resident Abel Fuandai told the BBC that his friend's son had been killed and said, "The scale of the tragedy is frightening".
The state government said an investigation is underway and cited the school's "weak structure and unsafe location near a riverbank", advising other schools "with structural concerns" to close immediately.
It also advised hospitals in Jos to prioritise treating the injured, "regardless of documentation or payment".
![](https://www.myjoyonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-444-1024x575.png)
Residents said the collapse came after three days of heavy rains in Plateau.
Speaking from the hospital, injured student Wulliya Ibrahim told AFP: "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 said.
Resident Chika Obioha said he had seen several dead bodies and that dozens of people had been rescued.
"Everyone is helping out to see if we can rescue more people," he said.
"Devastated by the tragic loss of young lives at Saint Academy," Unicef Nigeria representative Cristian Munduate wrote on X.
"Children full of dreams were writing exams when the school building collapsed. Deepest condolences to families affected."
There have been several major building collapses in Nigeria in recent years, with observers blaming a mix of bad workmanship, poor quality materials and corruption.
In 2021, at least 45 people were killed when a high-rise building under construction collapsed in a wealthy Lagos neighbourhood.
![Map of Nigeria showing Plateau state and cities of Jos, Abuja and Lagos](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/834b/live/d4ab0650-4089-11ef-a3b9-c9442a06e32f.png.webp)
Latest Stories
-
We won’t sacrifice this election on the altar of peace – NPP National Youth Organiser
5 mins -
Exhibition on market women’s role in Ghana’s independence opens in Accra
36 mins -
‘No level 100 fees’ policy a good idea, implementation is the problem – Nana Yaa Jantuah
1 hour -
NDC’s ‘No Level 100 fees’ must be targeted, not wholesale – Theo Acheampong
1 hour -
CAF inter-club competitions: Samartex, Nsoatreman get $50,000 for preliminary round
1 hour -
‘No level 100 fees’ policy a knee-jerk approach to compete with NPP – Rev. Ntim Fordjour
2 hours -
We’ll uncap GETFund to fund ‘No-fees policy’ for level 100 students – Ablakwa
3 hours -
Anybody who has ‘chopped money’ from Keta Port project will be held accountable – Mahama
3 hours -
We’ve not reached agreement with government – IPPs deny restructuring $1bn
4 hours -
Ghana activates emergency response plan and heightens surveillance to combat Mpox disease
4 hours -
An impactful role at the Paris 2024 Olympics: the story of Dr Eric Tetteh Ayertey
4 hours -
Nkosuohene of Nkwatia pledges to ensure Okwawu United play home games in Kwahu
5 hours -
Playback: Newsfile discusses ‘No level 100 academic fees’ policy and ‘state land capture’
5 hours -
Include infusion products in the list of restricted products – Local pharmaceutical firms
5 hours -
Strong personal brands add value to corporate brands, increase sales performance – Professor George Kofi Amoako
5 hours