WORLD : 23 Die as Nigeria School Falls
A private school building collapsed today in the eastern oil city of Port Harcourt, killing at least 23 students and injuring 60, witnesses and hospital workers said.
More than 300 policemen were digging through the collapsed structure for 15 other students feared trapped in the rubble, a police spokesman said.
The accident occurred as about 200 students gathered for a debate in a room on the third floor of the building, which was still under construction, said one survivor, 19-year-old Elizabeth Ikaedim.
She said many of the students were trapped on a staircase when they tried to flee as the walls began caving in.
The police spokesman said the owner of the building has been arrested. A police source said the building owner did not have a permit for the construction.
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