Jos, Nigeria - July 12, 2024

Storyline:
Officials have concluded search and rescue operations after a school collapsed in Jos, capital of the Plateau state in north-central Nigeria.

A total of 22 students were killed and 132 others injured on Friday's incident.

The building at the privately-owned Saint Academy, a primary and secondary school, collapsed when students were writing a promotional examination.

Witnesses said that the students reported to the school that the building was dangerous, but the school didn't take any actions. They expressed their shock and sadness on the incident.

Building collapses are a common phenomenon in Nigeria. In May, the Nigerian Institute of Civil Engineers said 41 buildings collapsed across the country in 17 months.

Daniel Obla, a property consultant, suggested that old structures should be tested for integrity and unsafe buildings should be demolished.

Rescue operations have wound down at the school.

The Plateau state government says it is prioritizing treatment of victims in hospitals, but a thorough investigation into the building collapse is also ongoing.

Shotlist:
Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria - July 12, 2024:
1. Injured student being carried to ambulance;
2. Various of ambulances;
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Izuchukwu Stanley Duru, eyewitness (starting with shot 2/ending with shot 4-5):
"The students were complaining about this building before, and they told the principal, the one in charge of the school. She was saying there was a meeting coming up.[inaudible] (But) the meeting was not held, and look at what has happened now."
4. Soldier standing, excavator working;
5. Ambulance moving;
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Christian Ameh, eyewitness (ending with shot 7):
"I live not far from here, and we got the news that there was a collapsed building, a school, and we rushed down to see. We had thought it was something minor, but on reaching here, it's a bad one."
7. Various of rescue operations in progress; residents on site;
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Daniel Obla, property consultant (partially overlaid with shot 9):
"Some of these buildings are too old to keep standing. In a developed society, we would expect that integrity tests will be carried out on old structures and these structures, if no longer fit for human habitation, be pulled down. Another problem is the use of substandard building materials, even in recent times, it has greatly compromised the integrity of most buildings."
[SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
9. Various of rescue operations in progress;
[SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
10. Sign showing "accident and emergency";
11. Various of medical professionals on site, ambulance moving.

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