A heart-wrenching tragedy unfolded at the Piplodi Government School in Rajasthan’s Jhalawar district on Friday morning, as seven young students lost their lives and over two dozen were injured when a section of the school building collapsed. What makes the incident even more painful is the revelation that students had warned teachers about cracks in the walls just minutes before the collapse—but were allegedly dismissed.
The incident occurred during morning prayer around 8 AM, when students were gathered inside the classrooms. According to survivors, small pebbles had begun falling from the ceiling, prompting a few students to raise alarms. However, instead of acting on the warnings, the teachers reportedly scolded them and asked them to remain seated.
“One of my classmates noticed pieces falling from the wall and told the teachers, but they were having breakfast outside and didn’t take it seriously,” said an eighth-grade student. “They told us to stay quiet and sit down. Then, suddenly, everything came crashing down.”
The part of the building that collapsed reportedly housed students of classes 6 and 7. Around 35 children were trapped under the rubble. Locals rushed to the site and began pulling out the injured students with bare hands, as rescue teams took time to reach the remote location.
Hospital authorities at SRG Hospital confirmed that 28 students were injured, with several in serious condition.
Initial reports suggest the building had visible signs of deterioration. Villagers stated that cosmetic plaster work had been done recently, but no structural repairs were carried out. Many parents had earlier complained about the unsafe condition of the classrooms, but no action was taken by the school authorities.
Following the collapse, agitated villagers and family members of the victims blocked roads at Guradi Circle and protested outside the hospital. Despite efforts by the police and district officials to pacify the crowd, demonstrations continued late into the night, with demands for immediate accountability and strict punishment for those responsible.
District Collector Mahendra Rathore has ordered a detailed inquiry into the incident. A team from the Public Works Department and education ministry is expected to visit the site to assess the structural integrity of other buildings in the region.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma expressed condolences and assured compensation for the families of the deceased and medical care for the injured. “This tragedy is unacceptable. Those found guilty of negligence will not be spared,” he stated.
