3 dead, 200 injured while writing WASSCE as school building collapses

3 pupils, including a girl, were killed and hundreds injured on Wednesday when a building in which they were writing the West African Examination Council School Certificate examination (WASCE) collapsed on them.

The incident occurred in Alpha Academy, a private secondary school in Mararaba, Donga Local Government Area of Taraba State.

Some 560 candidates were writing the examination in Alpha Academy. Many of them complained of the cracks before the building came down on Wednesday.

Of the 200 injured candidates, 30 are said to be in critical condition at the CRCN Hospital, Takum, where doctors are battling to save their lives.

One of the survivors, Godiya John, 22, who sustained a spinal cord injury, was immediately referred to the National Hospital, Abuja.

Donga council chair Capt. Douglas Ndatse (rtd), who confirmed the incident, described the examination hall as a one-storey building.

He said the examination was taking place upstairs.

Another survivor, simply identified as Ezekiel, said they were waiting for the Biology question paper when the building suddenly came down on them.

Ezekiel, who is seriously injured, said the incident occurred at about 6:48pm, more than three hours behind the time scheduled for the examination.

“The paper was slated for 3:30pm,” Ezekiel said, attributing the delay to officials.

Some 560 candidates are writing the examination in Alpha Academy.