Jhalawar: A government school building collapsed on Friday morning in Piplodi village of Manoharthana, Rajasthan’s Jhalawar district, leaving many students feared trapped under the debris.
The incident occurred at the Government Higher Primary School, which was functioning from a severely dilapidated structure. The roof caved in during school hours, reportedly due to heavy rainfall over recent days, triggering panic in the area.
Eyewitnesses said around 50 students were inside the classrooms when the roof gave way. The sudden collapse caused chaos, with screams heard as dust and debris filled the compound.
Villagers and school staff began rescue efforts immediately, using their hands to remove rubble and pull-out students. The injured were rushed to the Community Health Centre in Manoharthana using private vehicles, with several students said to be in critical condition. The exact toll is yet to be confirmed.
Police and administrative officials reached the scene swiftly, and rescue operations were underway with the help of JCB machines and disaster response teams.
Medical teams have been deployed at the site and nearby hospitals to provide emergency care. District officials have directed health facilities to offer the best treatment to the injured.
The incident has sparked outrage over the poor condition of school infrastructure in rural areas. Locals have demanded a high-level probe to fix accountability and prevent such tragedies in future.