In a devastating incident that occurred in the Busa Buji community of Plateau state in north-central Nigeria, a two-story school collapsed during morning classes, resulting in the tragic death of 22 students. The incident took place at the Saints Academy college, a school attended by students mostly aged 15 or younger.

Rescue operations were immediately launched after the collapse, with authorities and emergency response teams racing against the clock to locate and extricate the trapped individuals from the rubble. Initially, a total of 154 students were trapped, but efforts paid off, and 132 of them were successfully rescued. These rescued students are currently receiving treatment for their injuries in various hospitals in the area.

The news of this heartbreaking event spread quickly, drawing a crowd of concerned villagers near the school. Some were seen weeping, while others offered their assistance. The scene was fraught with emotions as one woman desperately tried to approach the debris, only to be restrained by those around her.

Responding to the tragedy, Nigeria's National Emergency Management Agency mobilized rescue and health workers, as well as security forces, to aid in the search and recovery efforts. The state government has attributed the collapse to the school's "weak structure and location near a riverbank" and has urged schools facing similar issues to temporarily halt operations.

This unfortunate incident sheds light on a distressing trend in Nigeria, where building collapses have become increasingly common. As Africa's most populous country, Nigeria has witnessed over a dozen such incidents in the past two years alone. Authorities often point to a failure to enforce building safety regulations and inadequate maintenance as contributing factors to these disasters.

The exact cause of the school's collapse is yet to be determined. However, as efforts continue to identify and rectify the underlying issues that led to this tragedy, it serves as a somber reminder of the importance of prioritizing building safety and adherence to regulations in order to prevent such devastating incidents in the future.

The collapse of the Saints Academy college on July 12, 2024, will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the affected students, their families, and the community as a whole. The nation mourns the loss of these young lives and stands in solidarity with those affected by this tragic event.