India: School balcony collapse injures 40 students in Barabanki; inquiry launched, school sealed

At least 40 students, aged between eight and 15 years, were injured on Friday (August 23) morning when the first-floor verandah of a private school building collapsed in the Indian state ofUttar Pradesh's Barabanki district, near Lucknow.

The injured students are admitted to the district hospital, undergoing treatment. Barabanki Superintendent of Police (SP) Dinesh Kumar Singh told news agency PTI that five of the students are in a "critical" condition.

Where and why did the roof collapse happen?

The collapse occurred at Awadh Academy School under the jurisdiction of Jahangirabad police station at around 8:00 am (local time), just as students were preparing for the morning assembly. The students had gathered on the first-floor balcony as they were heading down for the morning assembly.

Injured students were rushed to the Jahangirabad Primary Health Centre, located about 300 metres from the school, where they were given first aid, said Barabanki District Magistrate, Satyendra Kumar. Police reported that many students were rescued from the debris of the collapsed balcony.

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Magisterial inquiry launched to investigate the cause of the collapse; school sealed

Kumarassured that the students were being provided with the best possible medical care. He also confirmed that the school has been sealed until further notice and a magisterial inquiry has been launched to investigate the cause of the collapse. Legal action will be taken against the school authorities and others responsible for the incident.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the collapse was likely due to overloading. Officials noted that the construction quality of the building was subpar, and the large number of students gathering on the first floor for the assembly may have triggered the collapse.

(With inputs from agencies)