Jhalawar, Rajasthan – A devastating incident unfolded on the morning of July 25 in Piplodi village, located in the Manohar Thana block of Jhalawar district, Rajasthan, when the roof of a government school building collapsed, killing at least four children and injuring 17 others. The tragedy occurred around 8:30 a.m. while regular classes were underway.

According to reports, approximately 40 students were present inside the one-storey structure when the collapse took place. Emergency services, including local authorities and rescue teams, were immediately dispatched to the site. With the help of villagers and heavy machinery such as JCB excavators, the rubble was cleared in a swift rescue operation. Several children were pulled from the debris and rushed to nearby hospitals. Among the injured, at least four were reported to be in critical condition and transferred to better-equipped facilities in Jhalawar city.

Witnesses stated that the school building was visibly in poor condition, and concerns had been raised previously about its structural safety. These concerns are now under scrutiny, as allegations arise that complaints from the local community regarding the dilapidated state of the school were not acted upon in time.

Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma expressed deep sorrow over the incident and directed officials to ensure proper medical care for the injured children. He also ordered a full investigation into the circumstances that led to the collapse. Rajasthan’s Education Minister Madan Dilawar confirmed the launch of a high-level probe and assured that strict action would be taken against any officials found negligent.

The collapse has reignited public concern over the safety of school infrastructure in rural India. Parents and education advocates are demanding a statewide audit of school buildings to prevent such tragedies from happening again.

Rescue efforts continued throughout the day, with teams checking the debris for any remaining students who may still be trapped. Authorities have yet to confirm if the final casualty numbers are expected to rise.

This incident marks a painful reminder of the urgent need for rigorous maintenance and safety checks in educational institutions, particularly in rural areas where infrastructure remains severely underfunded and poorly managed.