A 35-year-old government school building collapsed in Piplod village, Jhalawar, killing seven children and injuring 29, with 13 in critical condition. The tragedy occurred due to water seepage from heavy rainfall. A high-level inquiry is underway, and several leaders, including PM Modi and President Murmu, have expressed condolences.
Locals clear debris of the collapsed school building in Rajasthan’s Jhalawar district. PIC/PTI
The 35-year-old building of a government upper primary school in Piplod village collapsed on Friday morning, resulting in the deaths of at least seven children and injuries to 29 others, with 13 in critical condition, officials said. The part of the Piplodi Government School building housing Std VI and VII gave way, burying about 36 children, police said. “Seven children have died so far,” Nand Kishore Verma, SHO of the police station in Manoharthana, said.
Five of the children studying in the school in Jhalawar’s Manoharthana block, about 340 km from Jaipur, have been identified. They are Kundar, Kanha, Raidas, Anuradha and Badal Bhil, the SHO said. In response to the tragedy, five teachers from the school have been suspended, and a high-level inquiry has been ordered by the state education minister, officials informed. The injured are currently receiving treatment at the SRG Hospital in Jhalawar and the Community Health Centre in the Manohar Thana area of the district.
Denying allegations that the school building was in a dilapidated condition, Jhalawar district education officer (elementary), Narso Meena, said that heavy rainfall in the region, combined with the accumulation of rainwater in the adjacent field behind the building, caused water seepage into the wall of one of the classrooms. This seepage led to the collapse of the classroom ceiling.
The school building consisted of four classrooms, including the one that collapsed, and was constructed in 1994 by the gram panchayat. Following the collapse, chaos and confusion ensued across the village as locals rushed to the school, village sarpanch Ramprasad Lodha said, recounting the incident.
Leaders express condolences
Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the incident as tragic and deeply saddening. “My thoughts are with the affected students and their families in this difficult hour. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured. Authorities are providing all possible assistance to those affected,” the PM said.
President Droupadi Murmu condoled the loss of lives, saying, “The news of the collapse of a school roof in Jhalawar, Rajasthan, resulting in the death and injury of several students, is extremely tragic. I pray that God grants strength to the grieving families to bear this pain. I wish for the speedy recovery of the students injured in this accident.”
Lok Sabha Speaker and Kota MP, Om Birla said the incident was painful, and prayed for the peace of the departed souls.
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi also expressed his condolences and asked Congress workers to provide all possible assistance in relief and rescue operations.
Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma expressed his condolences and said that officials have been directed to ensure proper treatment of the injured children. “May God grant a place to the departed divine souls,” he said.
State Education Minister Madan Dilawar promised a high-level inquiry will be conducted into the incident.
Governor Haribhau Bagade, Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani, LoP Tikaram Jully, former CMs Ashok Gehlot and Vasundhara Raje, BJP state president Madan Rathore, PCC chief Govind Singh Dotasra, former BJP state president Satish Poonia, and other leaders also expressed their sympathy.
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