Barmer, Rajasthan — A tragic incident unfolded Friday morning in India’s western state of Rajasthan, where the roof of a government-run school caved in, killing at least four children and injuring 17 others, several of them critically.
The collapse occurred shortly after morning prayers at a government primary school located in Barmer district. According to early estimates, around 25 to 30 students were inside the classroom when the ceiling suddenly gave way, sending bricks and debris crashing down on the children.
Local authorities suspect that the aging infrastructure of the school building, combined with recent heavy monsoon rains, may have significantly weakened the roof’s structure. Speaking to the Press Trust of India, senior police official Amit Kumar confirmed the fatalities and said that several of the injured were in critical condition and receiving emergency treatment.
Emergency Response and Government Reaction
Television footage showed scenes of chaos and heartbreak, as villagers, parents, and emergency responders scrambled to rescue students trapped under the rubble. Cranes were brought in to help remove large chunks of debris, while anguished parents wept and waited for updates.
Rescue efforts continued into the evening, with local media reporting that 32 students had been pulled out alive, though many sustained serious injuries.
Rajasthan’s Education Minister, Madan Dilawar, expressed deep sorrow over the incident and stated that he had directed local officials to provide immediate medical care to the injured and extend full support to the families affected.
“I have spoken with the district collector and instructed the authorities to oversee the children’s treatment and ensure that their families face no difficulties,” Dilawar said in an interview with AajTak news.
He also announced that a full-scale investigation will be launched to determine the exact cause of the collapse. “The safety of students is our top priority, and we will leave no stone unturned in finding out how this tragedy occurred,” he added.
Chief Minister Orders Support, Raises Infrastructure Concerns
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma shared his condolences on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), stating:
“Instructions have been given to ensure proper medical care for the injured. We stand with the families during this difficult time.”
This tragedy has reignited concerns over the condition of school buildings in rural India, many of which are decades old and poorly maintained. The region has experienced intense monsoon rains over the past few weeks, further stressing already vulnerable infrastructure.
Experts say that with changing climate patterns and increasingly erratic rainfall, such incidents could become more frequent unless urgent steps are taken to upgrade or rebuild unsafe public buildings—especially schools.
As investigations begin and emergency care continues, the Barmer community is left grieving young lives lost too soon. Meanwhile, the nation once again confronts the dire need for stronger infrastructure in its most vulnerable regions.
"Edited and published by Veritas Global News to maintain accuracy and originality"
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