Seven children lost their lives and at least 28 others were injured when the roof of a school collapsed in Rajasthan, India, on the morning of Friday, July 25, 2025, at around 8:00 a.m. local time. The disaster took place at the Government Primary School in Piplodi village, within the Jhalawar district, as students gathered for their morning assembly.
Approximately 60 children and teachers were inside the single-story structure when the roof gave way, trapping students beneath the rubble. Reports varied about the ages of the victims, with some sources stating they were between seven or eight and 13 or 14 years old. Two of the injured children were in critical condition. Local residents rushed to help immediately after the incident and pulled dozens of students from the debris, soon joined by police and government officials who aided in the rescue efforts.
Eyewitnesses said that students noticed signs of trouble before the collapse. One survivor recalled pebbles falling from the ceiling, and although students mentioned it to teachers, their concerns were ignored. According to reports, one teacher was having breakfast when the roof suddenly fell in.
The school building was already known to be in poor condition, and recent heavy rains may have played a role in its collapse. However, according to Ajay Singh, an official from the Jhalawar district, a survey conducted not long before had not classified the building as unsafe. Singh stated that a thorough investigation would follow and that those found responsible would face strict consequences.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, extending his condolences to the affected students and families. He assured that all possible relief efforts were underway and wished the injured students a quick recovery.
Madan Dilawar, Rajasthan’s state education minister, said that specialists were inspecting the remaining buildings on the school grounds. He instructed authorities to ensure the injured received proper care and that families received support. Dilawar confirmed that a formal probe would be launched to identify the precise cause of the collapse.
This tragedy draws attention to wider infrastructure issues in India’s educational sector. Recent figures reveal that more than 6,000 schools nationwide operate without proper buildings, and just 57.2% of schools have working computers. The Piplodi school largely enrolled marginalized children, with 78 out of 94 students from Scheduled Tribes, five from Scheduled Castes, and 11 from Other Backward Classes.
Collapse of buildings during India’s monsoon season is unfortunately not rare, as weak enforcement of safety codes leaves structures susceptible to heavy rains. Rajasthan has been hit by severe monsoon storms in recent weeks, highlighting concerns about the condition of rural school infrastructure.
In response to the incident, the Union Education Ministry instructed the Chief Secretaries of all states and Union Territories to conduct safety audits of all schools. The ministry outlined that checks for structural soundness, fire safety, emergency exits, and electrical wiring must meet national safety and disaster management standards.
The Rajasthan government also announced several steps to prevent similar accidents, including forming special committees to review the safety of government-run schools, colleges, and buildings. These groups are responsible for ensuring all necessary repairs are completed by June 15 each year.
This collapse happened in the midst of India’s monsoon season, which has already brought significant challenges across other regions, including the deaths of dozens due to lightning in the east.
Just three days later, a separate tragedy occurred when a student died after a school gate collapsed at the Government Girls’ Senior Secondary School in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. Arbaaz Khan, a first-grade student, was fatally injured while waiting to collect his sister when the main gate and its support column fell on him and two others on Monday afternoon. This incident renewed calls for stronger safety measures in schools throughout the state.
Rescue operations at the Piplodi school concluded within hours, with many students rescued alive. Media reports indicated that 32 students were saved, although some sustained serious injuries. The injured were treated at local hospitals, with the most severe cases transferred to district medical centers for advanced treatment.