On the morning of Friday, July 25, 2025, tragedy struck a government middle school in the western Indian state of Rajasthan when the roof of the school building suddenly collapsed, killing seven children and injuring at least 21 others. The incident occurred in Piplod village, located in the Jhalawar district, around 8 a.m. local time, just as students were gathering for their morning assembly.
According to senior police official Amit Kumar, the collapse happened shortly after the students had reached their classrooms. Approximately 35 to 60 children and teachers were present inside the single-story school building at the time, with all seven fatalities being students from the seventh and eighth grades. The injured, whose ages ranged between eight and eleven years, were rushed to two local hospitals for treatment, with two reported to be in critical condition.
The sudden collapse sent shockwaves through the community. Frantic parents, teachers, and local residents immediately joined rescue operations, sifting through debris to pull out trapped students. Footage broadcast on Indian television showed locals and emergency workers using cranes to clear the rubble, while anguished relatives cried nearby. Rescue efforts continued late into the day, with dozens of students pulled out alive from under the debris.
Eyewitnesses and officials pointed to the persistent and heavy monsoon rainfall in recent weeks as a likely factor contributing to the collapse. District Magistrate Ajay Singh Rathore explained that incessant rains had caused water to accumulate on the roof, which ultimately gave way under the weight. "It had been raining incessantly and a lot of water had collected on the roof of the single-story building," Rathore said. "The children were struck by the roof which collapsed under the weight of the water." The building was described by some as dilapidated, although it had not been flagged as unsafe in a recent district survey.
Rajasthan, known for its extreme weather and a monsoon season that typically lasts from July to September, has experienced intense rainfall over the past month. This has caused flooding, school closures, and other weather-related hazards. The state's education department had issued safety warnings earlier in the month, urging school leaders to inspect buildings for damage or leaks due to the heavy rains.
Rajasthan's Education Minister Madan Dilawar addressed the tragedy, stating that officials were overseeing the medical treatment of the injured children and ensuring that affected families received support. "I have directed the authorities to make proper arrangements and to oversee the injured children’s treatment, and to ensure they do not face any kind of difficulties," Dilawar told local media. He also announced that a formal investigation would be launched to determine the exact cause of the collapse. "I have also spoken to the collector and directed authorities to take stock of the situation and help in whatever way possible," he added.
Jhalawar district official Ajay Singh echoed these sentiments, confirming that the accident would be thoroughly investigated and that strict action would be taken against those responsible. He noted that the school was not on a recently requested list of dilapidated buildings, raising questions about the oversight and maintenance of school infrastructure.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma described the incident as "heart-wrenching" in a statement on X (formerly Twitter), emphasizing that instructions had been given to ensure proper treatment for the injured children. "Instructions have been given to the concerned authorities to ensure proper treatment for the injured children," he said.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his condolences and concern via social media, calling the accident "tragic and deeply saddening." "My thoughts are with the affected students and their families in this difficult hour. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured. Authorities are providing all possible assistance to those affected," Modi said.
The tragedy highlights the ongoing challenges faced by rural schools in India, where aging infrastructure and insufficient enforcement of building safety codes make buildings vulnerable, especially during the monsoon season. Deadly building collapses during heavy rains are not uncommon in India, underscoring the urgent need for improved inspection and maintenance protocols.
In the days leading up to the collapse, Rajasthan had already seen 23 rainfall-related deaths, including at least two children who drowned, according to local news reports. The heavy rains also caused other incidents, such as a school van being swept up in floodwaters while carrying children, which temporarily trapped 10 students.
As investigations proceed, the community mourns the loss of young lives and awaits answers. The disaster has sparked calls for greater attention to the safety of educational facilities, particularly in vulnerable rural areas. The government has pledged to provide all possible assistance to the victims and their families while taking measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
