Avoidable Tragedy: School Collapse in Nigeria Claims 21 Lives

A school building collapse in central Nigeria killed 21 people and hospitalized 30. The incident, labeled an 'avoidable tragedy,' highlights concerns over weak infrastructure. Approximately 120 were initially trapped in the structure. Hospitals provided free treatment, and authorities called for the closure of similarly unsafe schools.

Twenty-one people lost their lives in central Nigeria when a school building collapsed while students were taking an exam. Local authorities described the incident as an "avoidable tragedy," according to CNN. Nigeria's National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) reported that the two-story structure crumbled in Jos, Plateau State's capital, leaving an additional 30 individuals hospitalized. NEMA did not specify how many students were among the deceased.

Plateau State officials stated that around 120 people were initially trapped when the building fell. Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang expressed profound sympathy, particularly for the families of the students and staff of St. Academy School affected by the disaster. In an official statement, the Plateau State government called the incident preventable, pointing to concerns over the school's weak infrastructure and its precarious location near a riverbank.

In response to the calamity, local hospitals were instructed to provide treatment without the need for documentation or payment. Authorities have also mandated the closure of schools facing similar safety risks in the region. Building collapses in Nigeria are frequently attributed to lax construction standards and the use of substandard materials, CNN reported.

(With inputs from agencies.)