The death toll from the school building collapse in Jos, Plateau State, has risen to 22. An update from the state Commissioner for Information, Musa Ashoms, on Friday night, reported that the death toll had increased to 22, with 154 people suffering various degrees of injuries.
Ashoms added that emergency responders, including the National Emergency Management Agency, State Emergency Management Agency, Red Cross, security agencies, and healthcare professionals, were at the scene conducting search and rescue operations.
As of 6:00 pm, 154 people have been rescued from the debris. Sadly, 22 individuals have been confirmed deceased. Injured students and staff are receiving medical treatment at various hospitals across Jos.
Breakdown of Hospital Admissions and Fatalities: Hospital, Patients and Number Deaths. Plateau State Specialist Hospital, 39 hospitalised and three deaths; Our Lady of Apostles Hospital, 32 hospitalised and five deaths; Bingham University Teaching Hospital, 55 hospitalised and 14 deaths. Jos University Teaching Hospital, six hospitalised and zero deaths.
Total: 132 hospitalised and 22 deaths, a total of 154 victims, he said.
West Africa Weekly previously reported that a secondary school building collapsed in the Busa-Buji area of Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, trapping many students under the rubble.
The two-storey building of Saints Academy reportedly collapsed on Friday morning around 8:30 am, when many students and teachers were already in their classrooms.
The collapse shocked the community, prompting parents of the students and community members to flock to the site in search of their loved ones.
Ashoms stated that the Jos Metropolitan Development Board will conduct inspections to prevent similar incidents in the future. He also added that a thorough investigation into the cause of the collapsed building is underway.
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