Jhalawar, Rajasthan – July 25: In a heartbreaking incident, at least six children lost their lives and two others were critically injured after the roof of a government school building collapsed in Piplodi village, located in the Manohar Thana area of Jhalawar district on Friday morning.
The tragedy occurred at around 8:30 AM at the Piplodi Government School, where nearly 60 students, along with teachers and staff members, were present when the roof of the single-storey building suddenly caved in. Eyewitnesses reported a loud crash followed by panic, with dust and debris clouding the area, as screams of children rang out.
Initial reports indicate that the building was in a dilapidated condition, and repeated complaints about its safety had allegedly been made by local residents and school authorities. The school offers education up to Class 8.
Rescue Operations and Response
As the news spread, local villagers rushed to the scene, many of them helping in the immediate rescue efforts. Four JCB machines were deployed to remove the debris and search for survivors. District administration officials, including the collector, along with disaster response teams, arrived swiftly to coordinate rescue and relief operations.
Speaking on the incident, Rajasthan Education Secretary Krishna Kunal confirmed that the rescue operation had been completed and that six children were confirmed dead. The injured students were rushed to Manohar Thana Hospital, while those in critical condition were later transferred to a larger hospital in Jhalawar for advanced treatment.
Cause of the Collapse
According to eyewitness accounts and preliminary findings, heavy rainfall in the region over the past several days may have weakened the structure, causing the roof to collapse without warning. Local sources stated that the building’s poor maintenance and structural fragility were long-standing concerns.
Leaders Express Grief
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the incident “tragic and deeply saddening.” In a post shared by the Prime Minister’s Office on X (formerly Twitter), he said:
“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.”
Rajasthan Education Minister Madan Dilawar expressed grief and said that all necessary arrangements are being made to treat the injured. He assured a thorough investigation into the collapse and promised action against any negligence.
“I have directed the authorities to oversee the treatment of injured children and ensure they don’t face any difficulties. A probe will be ordered to ascertain what led to the collapse,” the minister stated.
Public Outrage and Demands for Accountability
The incident has sparked widespread outrage among locals, who are demanding accountability from the education and public works departments. Many villagers alleged that no action was taken despite multiple warnings about the dangerous condition of the building.
Parents and relatives of the deceased students, who rushed to the school after hearing about the collapse, were seen wailing at the site. The atmosphere in the village remains tense and somber.
Investigation and Next Steps
Authorities have assured that a comprehensive inquiry will be conducted to determine the cause of the collapse and to fix responsibility. Meanwhile, teams are working to assess the safety of other school buildings in the district to prevent such tragedies in the future.
As the village of Piplodi mourns the loss of six innocent lives, the incident has brought to light the urgent need for structural audits and repairs of aging school infrastructure in rural areas.
