Final-year students of Government Secondary School, Namnai, in Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State, narrowly escaped death on Wednesday when a classroom collapsed while they were writing their WAEC examination during a heavy downpour.
The incident trapped students, teachers, exam supervisors, and corps members in the debris, prompting a rescue effort that lasted several hours and was carried out by residents of the community.
Several students—both male and female—sustained varying degrees of injuries, with some suffering fractures to their legs, arms, and hands.
Speaking to Daily Trust via telephone, a resident, Alhaji DanAzumi Lauris, said the collapse occurred during the second session of the exam.
“The classrooms collapsed on the second set of the students as the first set had finished their exams and left,” he said.
DanAzumi explained that the collapse happened around 6pm on Wednesday, just minutes after the second batch of students had settled in for their exam, when a torrential downpour accompanied by a windstorm hit the town.
“The incident occurred at about 6pm on Wednesday, few minutes after the students began the exams when heavy rainfall accompanied by wind storm started in the town,” he added.
He said those injured—including students, teachers, and corps members—were taken to a Primary Healthcare Centre located a short distance from the school, where they are currently receiving treatment.
“The injured students, teachers and corps members were moved to Primary Healthcare Centre located few metres away from the school where they were receiving treatment,” DanAzumi noted.
He further disclosed that the storm caused widespread damage in the area.
“Aside from the school, many houses were also destroyed in the town during the rainfall,” he said.
