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The Independent
a day ago
- The Independent
Four children killed and 17 injured after roof collapses at Indian school
At least four children were killed and 17 injured after the roof of a primary school collapsed in western India on Friday morning. The tragedy struck at around 8.30am local time, at the Government Higher Primary School in Piplodi village in Jhalawar district of Rajasthan state, as students assembled for morning prayers. According to district officials, the roof of one of the classrooms suddenly gave way, burying the children under debris. At least 17 children were injured, some critically, and several were feared trapped under the rubble. The school building was reportedly in a dilapidated condition. Villagers were said to have repeatedly complained about its structural integrity, most recently after days of rain were feared to have weakened the roof, and authorities said the building's upkeep would form a key part of the investigation into the incident. Footage from the site showed desperate scenes of panic and urgency as villagers and teachers dug through the rubble with their bare hands, later aided by rescue personnel, cranes, and backhoes. The rescue operation concluded within hours, with many students pulled out alive. Assistant sub inspector Abdul Hakim from the Dangipura police station told The Indian Express that the children who died were aged between 14 and 16. Police superintendent Amit Kumar confirmed to the news agency PTI that 10 of the injured children had been sent to the district hospital in Jhalawar, at least four in critical condition. The rest were treated at nearby health centres. Rajasthan's education minister ordered a high-level investigation. 'A very unfortunate incident occurred in Piplodi village in Jhalawar where roof of a school collapsed,' Madan Dilawar said. 'I have instructed the district collector and education officer to make all kinds of arrangements for treatment,' he told local media. Mr Dilawar said the building's condition and whether prior structural audits had been carried out would be key aspects of the investigation. 'I have directed the zilla (district) authorities to make proper arrangements and to oversee the injured children's treatment, and to ensure they do not face any kind of difficulties,' he said. Rajasthan's chief minister, Bhajanlal Sharma, described the incident as 'extremely painful and tragic'. 'Concerned officials have been directed to ensure best possible treatment for the injured children. May God grant peace to the departed souls and give strength to the bereaved families,' he said. Indian prime minister Narendra Modi said the 'mishap' in Jhalawar was 'tragic and deeply saddening'. 'My thoughts are with the affected students and their families in this difficult hour,' he said on X. 'Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured. Authorities are providing all possible assistance to those affected.' Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot added his voice to the chorus of concern, noting that 'several children and teachers were injured due to the collapse of a government school building' and offered prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured. There were an estimated 60 individuals on the school premises at the time of the collapse, Station House Officer Vijendra Singh at the Dangipura police station said.
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Air India crash victim's family furious after someone else's remains were also sent home in casket
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE family of a mum killed in the Air India crash has blasted Indian authorities after someone else's remains were also sent home in her casket. NHS microbiologist Shobhana Patel, 71, died with her husband Ashok, 74, in the crash in June. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Shobhana Patel, 71, died with her husband Ashok, 74, in June's Air India crash Credit: Supplied 2 The crash killed 260 people Credit: Alamy The couple, from Orpington, Kent, were repatriated in different coffins but DNA tests in Britain found other body parts along with Shobhana's. Her son Miten, 40, said: 'I have no idea if the other remains were from more than one person.' One family was sent the wrong body entirely. India's Ministry of External Affairs said: 'All remains were handled with professionalism.' READ MORE ON AIR INDIA CRASH 'BODY MIX-UP' Brit Air India families 'sent the WRONG bodies' after crash killed 260 Lawyer James Healy-Pratt, representing around 20 families, said: 'They have been left in limbo. 'They have no-one to bury because the wrong body was in the casket.' It is thought that only Indian authorities carried out DNA tests on victims with no input from any international agency. Mr Healy-Prat added: 'I am hearing that it was Indian authorities alone who identified remains and then placed them in caskets. 'The families want assurances that their loved ones have not been left behind somewhere in India because they don't have confidence in the system. 'They have had the terrible shock of losing a loved one and then they go through more trauma when they learn it is not only their loved one in the casket, or it may not be their loved one at all.'
Metro
4 days ago
- Metro
British families of Air India victims sent wrong bodies ‘commingled' in coffins
Grieving loved ones of those who were killed in the Air India crash are being sent the wrong bodies. Some of the remains of the 261 victims have been wrongly identified before being repatriated to families in the UK. The relatives of one victim was even forced to abandon their funeral plans after being told the coffin contained the body of an unknown passenger. In one case the remains of two victims who have been 'commingled' together have also been placed in the same casket. They had to be separated before the funeral took place. Inner West London coroner Dr Fiona Wilcox has ordered all repatriated bodies to be matched with DNA samples provided by the families. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video So far there have been two confirmed cases of mistaken identity. An inquiry has opened between British and Indian authorities, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer set to raise concerns to his counterpart Narenda Modi on his state visit to Britain this week. Some 52 passengers on the flight 171 were Britons departing Ahmedabad for London Gatwick when the aircraft lost power on June 12. Aviation lawyer James Healy-Pratt who is representing many of the families said the bodies of 12 British nationals have been repatriated back to the UK. He told The Mail: 'I've been sitting down in the homes of these lovely British families over the last month, and the first thing they want is their loved ones back. 'But some of them have got the wrong remains and they are clearly distraught over this. It has been going on for a couple of weeks (and) I think these families deserve an explanation.' Altaf Taju, from Blackburn, whose parents Adam, 72 and Hasina, 70, died in the crash along with their son-in-law Altafhusen Patel, 51, said he was not able to look at any of the remains to check. He said: 'They just said, 'This is your mother or father', and gave us a paper label with an ID number on it. We had to take their word for it. It's horrific that this could have happened, but what could anyone do?' One family, who he referred to as Family X, had to cancel the funeral service after being given the wrong person in the casket. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 'Family X have no-one to bury because it was the wrong person in their casket. And if isn't their relative, the question is, who is it in that coffin? Presumably it's another passenger and their relatives have been given the wrong remains,' he added. More Trending Recovery teams used sniffer dogs and search equipment to find the bodies, with locals also volunteering to help sift through the smoldering remains. Within three days all of the victims were believed to have been found, but most bodies were burnt beyond recognition. A government spokesperson said: 'Formal identification of bodies is a matter for the Indian authorities. 'We understand that this is an extremely distressing time for the families, and our thoughts remain with them.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Airline founded by UK millionaire 'parks' only plane — after two return flights MORE: easyJet's summer 2026 sale is here – these are the best destinations to book now MORE: British airport announces 'major redesign' including new restaurants and runway views
