2 students killed as Maharashtra school roof crashes

Two students were killed and at least 25 others, including some teachers, were injured when the roof of a government school crashed following heavy rains here on Monday evening, police said.

The incident occurred around 5.30 p.m. when the Zilla Parishad Primary School in Nimbodi village was preparing to close for the day, said an official.

Suddenly, the main roof of the school gave away and came crashing down on the students and teachers, killing a boy and a girl -- identified as Vaishali Pote and Shreyas Rahane, both 11 years old and students of Class 4.

Locals launched rescue efforts for those trapped under the debris and rushed them to different hospitals in Ahmednagar, around 15 km away.

A majority of the victims have suffered head injuries and limb fractures but are being described as stable.

The immediate cause of the roof crash is believed to be incessant heavy rains that have lashed the district since the past three days which may have weakened the structure, officials said.

A large number of weeping parents and angry locals gathered at the site and vented their ire at the officials over the tragedy, including the Zilla Parishad President Shalini Vikhe, CEO Vishwajit Mane and the health and education officers.

Eyewitnesses claimed that the building was in a dilapidated state and several complaints were lodged with the district administration but remained unheeded.

--IANS

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