7 Children Dead, 2 In ICU As Rajasthan School Building Collapses

Seven children were killed and two were critically injured after a government school building collapsed in Rajasthan's Jhalawar district on Friday. 

The incident at Piplodi Government School in Manohar Thana took place at around 8.30 am. Officials said around 60 children, besides teachers and staff members, were present in the premises when the roof of the single-storey building collapsed. 

According to sources, the building was in a dilapidated condition and several complaints were raised in this regard earlier. The school offers education till Class 8. 

Rajasthan Education Secretary Krishna Kunal said the rescue operation was over and six children were killed in the incident. 

All the children were between eight and 11 years of age. Two children are admitted in the Intensive Care Unit. 

According to eyewitnesses and local villagers, the roof suddenly caved in due to persistent heavy rainfall over the past few days. The sound of the collapse was followed by screams and confusion as dust and debris engulfed the area.

Visuals from the site showed local residents rushing to rescue the trapped students, teachers and staff members. At least four JCB machines also arrived at the spot to help clear the debris. 

Officials in the district administration, including the collector, and disaster relief teams also helped with the rescue operations. Family members of the school children rushed to the spot on learning about the building collapse.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the incident was "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," his office said in a post on X. 

Earlier in the day, Education Minister Madan Dilawar said he has directed authorities to make proper arrangements and to oversee the injured children's treatment, and to ensure they do not face any kind of difficulties. "I will order a probe into the incident and to ascertain what led the building to collapse. I have also spoken to the collector and directed authorities to take stock of the situation and help in whatever way possible," he said.

The rescued and injured children were shifted to Manohar Thana Hospital for treatment. Those with grievous injuries were shifted to a bigger hospital in Jhalawar, the sources said.