Two students died in Noida after a wall of their school collapsed on Monday morning in Salarpur area. The injured students were taken to a nearby hospital, where two were declared dead. The students killed in the accident have been identified as 8-year-old Bhupendra and 7-year-old Vivek. While Bhupendra studied in Class 2, Vivek was the student of Class 1. Both lived within the close proximity of the school.
Noida SSP Ajay Pal Sharma said, “Five students were injured after a wall of KM Public School in Salar area of Noida collapsed. The injured students were taken to nearby hospital, where two students died. From the information available, it appears that some activities were going on in the neighbouring building, causing the school’s wall to collapse. Legal action will be taken after we obtain more information.”
According to media reports, 15 students were taking an examination, when the wall collapsed due to the construction activity in the adjacent building. The construction, according to local cops, was being carried out by the cousin of the school’s owner, Amit Bhati.
A team of National Disaster Response Force was quick to arrive at the spot to carry out a rescue operation.
City Magistrate (Noida) Shailendra Mishra was quoted by Indian Express, “Prima facie, it appears the school was not recognised or registered by the basic education department. It was a small setup being run for children in the village. Further details can be obtained after the education department conducts an inspection into the permissions obtained by the school. Meanwhile, we are assisting the families of the children in every way possible.”
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has expressed his condolences at the children’s death, asking the district administration to submit its report. The district administration has also announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh each for the families of the two students, killed in the accident.
Villagers also staged protested in the area demanding stern action against the culprits.