Piplodi school roof collapse
| Date | 25 July 2025 |
|---|---|
| Time | 8.00 am IST (UTC+05:30) |
| Location | Piplodi, Rajasthan, India |
| Coordinates | 24°15′18″N 76°43′58″E / 24.2551014°N 76.7327599°E |
| Cause | Structural failure |
| Deaths | 7 |
| Non-fatal injuries | 27 |
On 25 July 2025, part of the classroom roof of the Piplodi Government School in Piplodi, Rajasthan, India, collapsed, killing 7 students and injuring 27.
Incident
[edit]The collapse occurred around 8 a.m. IST (UTC+05:30), shortly before the morning assembly began.[1] Students had reportedly noticed falling debris and alerted teachers, who dismissed the warnings and instructed them to remain seated. Moments later, the classroom wall and roof gave way, burying 35 children under debris, killing 7 students with ages ranging from 7 to 13, and injuring 27.[2]
Injured children were rushed to the Manoharthana primary health centre, with several critically injured patients transferred to Jhalawar district hospitals.[3]
Aftermath
[edit]Government Action
[edit]Rajasthan chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma mourned the tragedy, and ordered the immediate inspection and sealing of unsafe school buildings.[4] The central ministry of education directed all states and territories to conduct comprehensive safety audits of schools covering structural integrity, fire safety, emergency drills, and mental health preparedness.[5]
The Rajasthan government announced compensation of ₹1 million (US$12,000) and one government job to each of the families of the killed.[6] Classes were to resume at a nearby government school on 28 July, while a new school building featuring classrooms named in memory of the children is to be constructed.[7] The government also proposed spending ₹1.5 billion (US$18 million) on school repairs throughout the state. School buildings deemed unrepairable would be razed and replaced with temporary containers, while the rest would be cataloged and monitored.[8]
Local Investigation
[edit]A five-member committee led by the Zila Parishad CEO was tasked with investigating the causes of the collapse. Criminal complaints were filed against the school headmaster and five teachers, who were suspended.[7][9]
Reactions
[edit]Prime Minister Narendra Modi,[10] President Draupadi Murmu,[11] Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi,[12] and Rajasthan chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma expressed sorrow over the incident.[13]
Other leaders, including former chief minister of Rajasthan Ashok Gehlot and Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla also expressed grief.[14]
As a protest against government school conditions, Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) leader Hanuman Beniwal asserted that all government officials and political leaders should enroll their children in government schools, arguing that this would lead to an improvement in the quality of public education.[15]
Criticism was levied at education minister Madan Dilawar for the poor state of school infrastructure, with calls for his resignation due to dereliction of duty and after he appeared at a welcome celebration in Jagheena the day after the incident.[16][17]
On 29 July, Beniwal, Banswara MP Rajkumar Roat, and Azad Samaj Party president Chandrashekhar Azad protested outside Parliament, demanding accountability and compensation for the collapse.[18][19]
References
[edit]- ^ Zargar, Arshad R. (25 July 2025). "At least 7 children killed as India school roof collapses after weeks of monsoon rains - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
- ^ "Students warned of cracks minutes before roof collapse that killed 7 in Rajasthan school, but teachers ignored". Hindustan Times. 26 July 2025. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
- ^ "Seven students killed as roof of govt school collapses in Rajasthan". The Indian Express. 26 July 2025. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
- ^ "Govt's BIG move after Rajasthan school roof collapse: Safety audit is mandatory for all schools, student facilities". mint. 26 July 2025. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
- ^ "Centre orders safety audit of all govt schools after Rajasthan roof collapse kills 7 children". The Indian Express. 26 July 2025. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
- ^ "Rajasthan govt. announces ₹10 lakh each to kin of children killed in Jhalawar school building collapse". The Hindu. 26 July 2025. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
- ^ a b PTI (26 July 2025). "Rajasthan: Last rites of 7 children killed in school roof collapse held, case lodged against teachers". ThePrint. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
- ^ Today, India. "Rajasthan to demolish unsafe buildings, have AI-based monitoring as school collapse kills 7 children". bestcolleges.indiatoday.in. Retrieved 28 July 2025.
- ^ "झालावाड़ स्कूल हादसे में शिक्षा विभाग का एक्शन, महिला प्रिंसिपल समेत चार शिक्षक निलंबित". rajasthan.ndtv.in (in Hindi). Retrieved 27 July 2025.
- ^ "Prime Minister expresses grief on school mishap at Jhalawar, Rajasthan". Press Information Bureau. 25 July 2025. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
- ^ "Rajasthan School collapse leaves 7 dead; PM Modi, President Murmu offer prayers and support". The Economic Times. 25 July 2025. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
- ^ "Rajasthan School Collapse: Rahul Gandhi Demands Probe, Punishment for Negligence". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
- ^ डेस्क, एबीपी स्टेट (26 July 2025). "झालावाड़ हादसे के बाद जागी राजस्थान की भजनलाल सरकार, स्कूलों को लेकर उठाया ये बड़ा कदम". ABP News (in Hindi). Retrieved 27 July 2025.
- ^ Saini, Sachin (25 July 2025). "Seven children dead, 28 injured as school building collapses in Rajasthan's Jhalawar". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
- ^ Asnani, Rajesh (25 July 2025). "Seven students dead, over 25 injured after school building collapses in Rajasthan's Jhalawar". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
Nagaur MP Hanuman Beniwal stated in Parliament that the children of all government officers and leaders should be educated in government schools to ensure the quality of public education improves
- ^ Asnani, Rajesh (27 July 2025). "Jhalawar School tragedy puts Rajasthan Education Minister in the dock: Will he Resign?". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
- ^ "Jully slams Dilawar for 'grand welcome'". The Times of India. 27 July 2025. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
- ^ "MPs protest outside Parliament demanding justice for Jhalawar victims". The Times of India. 29 July 2025. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
- ^ "Jhalawar school roof collapse sparks uproar in Lok Sabha: Beniwal demands action against collector in ongoing case of 7 children's deaths - Jaipur News". Bhaskar English. 28 July 2025. Retrieved 29 July 2025.