Seven children lost their lives and at least 28 others were injured when the roof of a school collapsed in Rajasthan, India, on Friday morning, July 25, 2025, around 8:00 a.m. local time. The incident took place at the Government Primary School in Piplodi village in Jhalawar district as students were assembling for their morning gathering.
Approximately 60 children and teachers were inside the single-story building when the roof gave way, trapping students under the debris. The victims were described by various publications as being between the ages of seven or eight and 13-14 years, with two children in critical condition. Local residents quickly responded and managed to save dozens of students, with police and government personnel joining the rescue operations.
Witnesses reported that students had observed warning signs prior to the collapse. One surviving student noted that pebbles were falling from the ceiling, and when students brought this to the teachers’ attention, it was dismissed. One teacher was reportedly eating breakfast when the roof fell.
The school structure was said to be in poor condition, and continuous heavy rainfall over the past weeks might have played a role in the collapse. However, Jhalawar district official Ajay Singh stated that the school had not been marked as unsafe after a recent survey. Singh announced that a thorough investigation would be undertaken, and strict action would be taken against those found responsible.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the event as deeply saddening and extended his thoughts to the affected students and their families. He mentioned that authorities were providing all necessary assistance to those impacted and wished for a quick recovery for those injured.
Rajasthan’s state education minister, Madan Dilawar, stated that experts were evaluating the stability of other buildings on the school premises. He directed officials to oversee the medical care of the injured and ensure that families receive support. Dilawar confirmed that a formal inquiry would be initiated to ascertain the precise cause of the collapse.
The incident underscores broader infrastructure issues in India’s education system. According to recent data, over 6,000 schools in India lack proper buildings, and only 57.2% of the country’s schools have operational computers. The Piplodi school primarily served marginalized children, with 78 out of 94 students belonging to Scheduled Tribes, five from Scheduled Castes, and 11 from Other Backward Classes.
Building collapses during the monsoon season are not uncommon in India due to weak enforcement of building safety codes, making structures particularly susceptible to heavy rain. Rajasthan has experienced intense monsoon rains in recent weeks, raising concerns about aging infrastructure in rural schools.
Following the incident, the Union Education Ministry wrote to Chief Secretaries of all states and Union Territories, instructing them to conduct safety audits of all schools. The ministry specified that structural integrity, fire safety, emergency exits, and electrical wiring must be thoroughly evaluated according to national safety codes and disaster management guidelines.
The Rajasthan government announced various measures to prevent similar incidents, including the establishment of special committees to review the safety of government schools, colleges, and government buildings. These committees are tasked with ensuring repair work is completed before June 15 each year.
The collapse occurred during India’s monsoon season, which has already posed significant challenges to the eastern part of the country, with dozens of people killed by lightning strikes in recent weeks.
In a related incident just three days later, another child died when a school gate collapsed at the Government Girls’ Senior Secondary School in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. The Class 1 student, identified as Arbaaz Khan, was killed while waiting to pick up his sister when the main gate and its supporting column fell on him and two others on Monday afternoon. This second incident prompted renewed calls for comprehensive safety measures in educational institutions across the state.
The rescue operation at the Piplodi school concluded within hours, with many students pulled out alive. Local media reported that 32 students had been rescued, though some suffered severe injuries. The injured students were treated at local hospitals, with the most critical cases transferred to district medical facilities for specialized care.
