PETIONVILLE, Haiti – Haitian officials have announced that 94 students and adults died after a school collapsed Nov. 7. As many as 150 more were severely injured.
The collapse occurred during a children’s party hosted by College La Promesse Evangelique, the three-story, concrete school. It is unclear as to how many people were on school grounds when the building collapsed, although officials believe that 500 students were said to be in attendance. Officials are not sure how many people were able to escape the collapse nor how many people were pulled out unharmed.
U.S., French and Haitian rescue teams searched for survivors and the remains of deceased individuals. Additionally, relatives and other local residents searched for victims until police intervened due to safety concerns.
News reports indicate that neighbors nearby the school complained that the structure was unsafe. The collapse destroyed homes that were immediately below the institution. Additionally, Haitian President Rene Preval said the structure was fragile, and has ordered a review on construction guidelines.
Fortin Augustin, the school’s owner and builder, turned himself in on Nov. 8 for involuntary manslaughter. If convicted, Augustin could face life in prison.
The school served students aged 10-20. On the day of the collapse, many of the poorer students were not in attendance, as the party asked for donations of 25 gourdes (63 cents).
Officials do not expect the death toll to go much higher.
For additional information:
- Death Toll Rises to 94 in Haiti School Collapse
- 82 killed in Haitian school collapse
- Frantic volunteers rush Haiti school ruins
