On March 19, 2025, a tragic incident occurred at a private tutoring center in the Azbat Saman area of Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt, when the roof of the room collapsed during a session. The disaster resulted in the death of two students and injuries to 14 others, sparking an outpouring of grief and immediate action from local authorities.
The roof collapsed while elementary students were attending a private lesson, a common practice in the region where parents often seek additional instruction for their children outside of school hours. Local police and civil protection units responded promptly to the scene, where they found a distressing situation—a total of 16 children had sustained injuries.
Governor of Dakahlia, Tariq Marzouq, was swift to respond. Upon receiving reports of the incident, he visited the Beni Ebeid Hospital where the injured were being treated. "Governor Tariq Marzouq visited the hospital to ensure the injured children received the best medical care," local reports indicate. There, he met with families, offering condolences and support to those affected by the loss of their young children.
The governor further directed health officials, including the District Health Director, to ensure that injured children received optimal medical attention. Some cases were initially considered critical, but medical staff worked tirelessly to stabilize the patients. Reports from the hospital confirmed that three of the injured had already been discharged, while the remainder were expected to be released within hours as their conditions improved.
In a proactive measure, Marzouq also emphasized the need for swift actions regarding safety protocols at educational facilities. He instructed officials to review all licensed nurseries and tutoring establishments in the region to ensure compliance with safety standards and prevent future tragedies.
Authorities reported that the teacher who owned the tutoring center was arrested and taken for questioning. "The teacher, owner of the location, was arrested and taken to police for questioning," stated local authorities in a detailed account of the events surrounding this horrific incident. Legal authorities have also initiated an investigation into the structural integrity of the building where the collapse occurred, as well as the operational safety of such informal educational settings.
Further investigations are being conducted by the Beni Ebeid center and the engineering administration to determine any negligence or oversight that may have contributed to the roof collapse. As the situation develops, the public prosecution has been notified and is expected to take further legal action against parties responsible for the incident.
This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safety measures in schools, particularly in informal education settings. The unnecessary loss of young lives due to inadequate oversight raises pressing questions about the structural integrity of buildings utilized for educational purposes and the regulations governing them.
The community mourns the loss of two innocent children whose futures were abruptly cut short. As investigations continue, it is essential for local authorities to ensure the enforcement of safety standards and protect students who depend on these educational opportunities.
Governor Marzouq's visit to the hospital and his heartfelt condolences to the grieving families signal a necessary governmental response to this dire situation, with opportunities for reform likely to follow. Both public officials and citizens alike are left to ponder how such an event could have occurred—and how even more teaching environments can be fortified against similar tragedies in the future.
