Tragedy struck in the early hours of Friday in Jos, the capital of Plateau State, when a two-storey school building collapsed and killed 14 students while scores of others sustained various degree of injuries.
Saint Academy, a secondary school, opposite Busa Buji Bridge in Jos North local government area collapsed around 9:45 am while the students were writing their promotional examination.
As at 4:00pm on Friday, it was gathered seven bodies of the students have been received at Our Lady of Apostles (OLA) hospital.
Four bodies were at Bingham university teaching hospital (BUTH) and one at Plateau Specialist Hospital.
The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the Plateau Specialist Hospital, Prof Chris Yilgwan, told The Nation: “A total of 38 casualties have been brought to the hospital so far. We have one confirmed dead, three of them have spinal cord injuries and are referred for scanning. The rest are still in the emergency receiving attention “
He explained the casualties figure cannot be confirmed yet because the ambulances were conveying them from the building site.
PRO of Our Lady of Apostles Hospital, Mrs. Chioma Ofodile, who confirmed five deaths, said their bodies have been deposited at the mortuary, adding 25 others were receiving treatment in the hospital.
It was learnt the collapsed blocks were those of SS1, SS2 and SS3 students. The students were said to be trapped under the rubbles.
The school principal, Daremola Okundayo, confirmed the event occurred around 11:00am with about 200 students and teachers affected.
According to him: “A good number of them have been rescued. As a matter of fact, I was at OLA hospital. It’s unfortunate that I lost some of them. But at least, so far, those that have been rescued presently, they were more than 30 and they all survived. So I pray the survivors will be permanent and the healing will be fast.”
Chief Medical Director of Bingham university Teaching Hospital, Prof. Stephen Anzaku, acknowledged the hospital received mass casualties over the incident.
“Some brought died while others were on admission. Those that are in stable condition admitted in the various wards.”
