Tragedy struck a private school at Sakhigopal in Puri district as at least one student was killed and 28 others sustained injuries after a wall collapsed at the school premises on Thursday afternoon.
The students of the Saraswati Sishu Vidya Mandir (SSVM) at Basukera in Sakhigopal were dispersing after the classes were over for the day. They went to the cycle-stand to get their cycles when an un-plastered wall collapsed trapping them under the debris.
“The students were taking their bicycles when the wall caved in. A girl died on the spot and several others were injured,” an eyewitness narrated.
While the deceased girl was pulled out from the rubble, at least 20 others were rescued and rushed to the Sakhigopal Community Health Centre (CHC) by a 108 ambulance.
Some injured students were later shifted to the Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar as their conditions were said to be serious Meanwhile, Puri district Collector Arvind Agarwal ordered a probe into the incident by the District Education Officer (DEO).
The Collector also announced that the treatment expenses of the injured would be borne by the Government.
Following the incident, School and Mass Education Minister Debi Prasad Mishra visited the Capital Hospital to inquire about the conditions of the students under treatment.
Mishra told the media, “As many as 13 students were provided preliminary treatment at Satyabadi and 15 others were referred to the Capital Hospital. Of them, two have facial injuries and one has head injury and they have been referred to the SCB Medical College Hospital, Cuttack. The rest are being treated at the Capital Hospital. The treatment expenses will be borne by the Government as directed by the Chief Minister.”
“Conditions of three are critical and they have been referred to the SCB Medical College Hospital. Two other critically injured are under observation,” Capital Hospital Casualty Medical Officer Jharana Behera said.
It may be mentioned that the foundation of the concerned wall had become weak as it was constructed long ago. The guardians had been demanding to demolish the unsafe structure at the parent-teacher meetings but in vain.