CITIZENS COMPASS –Plateau State Commissioner for Information, Musa Ashoms, says 22 persons were confirmed dead and 120 others were trapped in Jos Plateau State, after a school building collapsed in the area..
He disclosed this in a statement he issued on Friday night.
The Commissioner says 154 persons suffered different degrees of fatalities.
The statement partly reads, “The Plateau State Government expresses its deepest condolences following the tragic building collapse at Saint Academy, Jos, on July 12, 2024. The collapse resulted in 154 fatalities and injuries. Emergency responders are currently at the scene conducting search and rescue operations.
“Current situation 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 of Deaths. Plateau State Specialist Hospital, 39 hospitalised and three deaths; Our Lady 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 grand total of 154 victims.”
“The Plateau State Government activated emergency response protocols immediately upon notification of the incident.
“Emergency services include the National Emergency Management Agency, State Emergency Management Agency, Red Cross, security agencies, and healthcare professionals who have been working collaboratively in search, rescue and resuscitation efforts.
“To ensure prompt medical attention, the government has directed all major hospitals in Jos to prioritize treatment of the victims, regardless of documentation or payment.
“The Governor, (Caleb) Mutfwang, has specifically instructed these hospitals to accommodate those affected by the collapse.”
“The Jos Metropolitan Development Board will conduct inspections to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the state Emergency Management Agency, Sunday Abdu, had confirmed 17 persons dead.
