A heartbreaking tragedy struck Piplodi Primary School in Jhalawar, Rajasthan, on Friday morning, when the roof of the classroom suddenly caved in, killing seven Class 7 students and injuring over 15 others. The victims, aged between 12 and 14, were attending class when the 20-year-old stone-slab roof collapsed.
A swift rescue operation was launched with the help of police, local residents, and district officials. According to Jhalawar SP Amit Kumar, four children died on the spot, while ten critically injured students were referred to a hospital in Jhalawar. Two remain in life-threatening condition.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow, calling the incident “deeply saddening”, and assured that all necessary aid is being provided to the affected families.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma also offered condolences, terming the collapse “extremely tragic and heartbreaking”. He assured that adequate medical care is being given to the injured and prayed for strength for the grieving families.
Education Minister Madan Dilawar announced that a high-level investigation will be initiated to determine the cause of the collapse and fix responsibility.
The incident has raised serious questions about the structural integrity of aging school buildings, especially those built with outdated materials like stone slabs.
As the community reels from the loss, there is growing demand for accountability and urgent infrastructure audits across rural educational institutions.