A joyous Independence Day celebration at a private school in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal district turned tragic on Saturday when the canopy at the school’s main entrance collapsed, killing an eight-year-old boy and seriously injuring two students.
The accident occurred during an Independence Day programme at Al Hasnain Public School in Madala village under the Asmoli police station area. A CCTV recording of the incident has surfaced, showing the moment the structure gave way as children gathered around it to watch the celebrations.
According to officials, several local children had come to the school to watch the Independence Day function. Some of them climbed onto the entrance canopy while others stood below it. Unable to bear the weight, the structure suddenly collapsed, trapping children under the debris.
Local residents rushed to the spot after hearing screams and launched a rescue effort. The trapped children were pulled out from the rubble and taken to a nearby hospital.
The deceased was identified as Nizamuddin, an eight-year-old boy who had come to watch the programme. Doctors declared him dead on arrival. Two students of the school, Saif Ali and Shaidana, sustained serious injuries and were referred to a higher medical centre for treatment.
The incident prompted an immediate response from the district administration. District Magistrate Ankit Khandelwal, Superintendent of Police Krishna Kumar Bishnoi, along with other senior officials and members of the education department, reached the school and conducted an inspection.
Officials also met the school management and gathered details about the circumstances leading to the collapse. Later, they visited the deceased child’s family and assured them of all possible assistance.
Speaking to reporters, SP Krishna Kumar Bishnoi said the Independence Day programme was underway when a group of children climbed onto the canopy. “One child who was not a student of the school was standing below the structure. The canopy collapsed after several children climbed on it, trapping three children under the debris. One child died while two others were injured,” he said.
District Magistrate Ankit Khandelwal said preliminary findings suggested that the structure collapsed due to the additional load of children standing on top of it. He confirmed that the injured children were undergoing treatment and that an inquiry into the incident had been initiated.
Family members of the deceased said Nizamuddin had gone to the school carrying a flag to watch the Independence Day celebrations. They said the wall-like structure suddenly gave way, trapping him beneath the rubble.
Police said the victim’s family has, for now, declined to pursue legal action. Authorities, however, are continuing their investigation into the circumstances of the collapse while assessing the safety of the school premises.
– Ends
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