Four children have died in a school building collapse in Rajasthan, India. At least 17 people were injured. The tragic accident was reported in a report in the country’s Anandabazar Patrika on Friday (July 25).
According to the report, the incident took place at Piplodi Government School in Manohar police station area of Jhalawar district, Rajasthan, at around 8:30 am. Teachers and students were present in the classroom when the roof collapsed. Many were trapped under the rubble. Police, fire service and local residents quickly launched a rescue operation after receiving the news.
It is learned that the school building is more than 20 years old and has been in a very dilapidated condition for a long time. Locals allege that no action was taken despite informing the concerned authorities about the poor condition of the infrastructure several times. Piplodi Government School used to teach up to class VIII.
According to local villagers, there has been continuous heavy rain in the area for the last few days. That is why the roof collapsed. Eyewitnesses said they heard the sound of a landslide and the students screaming. When they rushed to the spot, they found the house completely collapsed, surrounded by dust.
Rajasthan Education Secretary Krishna Kunal said the rescue operation was almost over. Six children have died in the incident.
Jhalawar Superintendent of Police (SP) Amit Kumar told news agency PTI that four children have been rescued dead so far in the accident. Some have been taken to a local hospital with injuries. Efforts are on to rescue the others.