Tragedy in India Seven Children Die After School Roof Collapses in Bihar

Post by : Priya

  Photo : PTI

A tragic incident in India’s eastern state of Bihar has shaken the country. On a regular school day in Siwan district, seven children lost their lives when the roof of their government-run primary school suddenly collapsed. Several others were seriously injured. The event, which unfolded in the early hours of Monday, has left families shattered, communities outraged, and the entire nation demanding accountability.

This devastating accident has once again brought attention to the poor condition of government schools in rural India, where decaying infrastructure and administrative negligence often go unnoticed until it’s too late.

 A Routine Day Turns Into Tragedy

On the morning of June 24, students at the Government Primary School in Siwan gathered for another day of learning. Most were between six and ten years old. The classroom was packed, and the children had just settled down when disaster struck.

Without warning, a section of the school roof gave way, sending down large chunks of concrete and debris directly onto the children. Screams filled the air as dust and panic spread across the school compound.

Within minutes, terrified teachers and nearby villagers rushed in to help. With no professional tools in hand, many used their bare hands to dig through the rubble, trying to pull out the children trapped underneath.

 Lives Lost, Dreams Shattered

When emergency responders arrived, the rescue operation continued in full force. But the damage had already been done. By afternoon, authorities confirmed the worst: seven children were dead.

Several other students were injured—some critically—and rushed to the nearest government hospital. Doctors are doing their best to save them, but the trauma for the families and survivors will last a lifetime.

The names of the deceased were later made public, and their photos began circulating on social media and news channels—smiling faces full of life and promise, now gone forever.

Condition of the School Building: A Disaster Waiting to Happen

The school building was more than 30 years old. Locals say it had long shown signs of deterioration. Cracks on the walls and ceilings had been visible for years. Many parents had raised concerns with teachers and district authorities, urging for repairs. But no serious action was taken.

Reports reveal that this school had not undergone any major renovation in the past two decades. It lacked proper maintenance, and the classrooms often leaked during rains.

“This was an accident waiting to happen,” said one local resident. “We kept warning the authorities. But no one cared until lives were lost.”

Government’s Reaction: Condolences and Promises

Soon after the news broke, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed his deep sorrow. He announced financial compensation of ₹5 lakh for the families of each deceased child. He also promised a full investigation and said any official found guilty of negligence would be punished.

“This is an unacceptable tragedy. We will not tolerate carelessness when it comes to our children’s safety,” the Chief Minister said during a press conference.

The state education department has been instructed to conduct safety audits of all school buildings in Bihar. Officials have been asked to report on the condition of each government school within a week.

But for many in Siwan, the promises are too little, too late.

Parents' Anger: “Our Children Were Not Safe”

As grief turned to anger, hundreds of parents and villagers gathered outside the school. Many demanded that those responsible be arrested. Protesters blocked roads and shouted slogans against the administration, accusing it of ignoring repeated warnings.

“We sent our children to school thinking they were safe. But they were sent into a death trap,” cried a mother who lost her 7-year-old daughter.

Local community leaders have called for criminal charges to be filed against education officials who failed to act on inspection reports and complaints.

Voices from the Ground: Grief and Trauma

The atmosphere in the village is heavy with grief. Every home has a story of loss, every face marked by sorrow.

Teachers, too, are shaken. One of them said, “I was teaching in the next room. When I heard the crash, I ran in and saw children buried under cement and bricks. It was horrifying. I still hear their screams.”

Schools in the district remained closed for two days as a mark of respect. A mass prayer was held for the victims, attended by families, teachers, and officials.

India’s School Infrastructure Crisis

This tragedy is not an isolated incident. Across India, thousands of government schools operate in poor conditions. Broken walls, cracked roofs, lack of toilets, and overcrowded classrooms are common problems—especially in rural areas.

According to the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER), nearly 40% of primary schools in India require urgent repairs. Many do not meet the basic safety standards defined by the government.

In 2022, a similar incident occurred in Uttar Pradesh, where a school wall collapsed, killing two students. Yet, little seems to have changed.

Child rights activists have long urged the government to invest more in safe and modern school infrastructure. But issues such as corruption, red tape, and lack of political will have slowed down progress.