A regular school day turned into a nightmare in Rajasthan’s Alwar district on Tuesday when the roof of a government school building suddenly collapsed, leading to the death of four young students and injuring at least 17 others.

The incident took place during the morning hours when classes had just begun. According to eyewitnesses, a loud cracking sound was heard before the roof gave way, sending panic through the school. Children were caught completely off guard as debris fell from above.

Emergency teams, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), were immediately dispatched to the location. Rescue operations are still ongoing as authorities believe some children may still be trapped under the rubble. Medical teams are attending to the injured, many of whom were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Early reports suggest that the school building was old and possibly not well-maintained. Locals claim that cracks in the walls and ceiling had been visible for months, raising serious questions about the safety of public school infrastructure in rural India.

The Chief Minister has expressed grief over the incident and announced compensation for the families of the deceased. “This is an extremely unfortunate event. We will hold those responsible accountable and provide all possible help to the affected families,” he said in a statement.

The tragedy has sparked a conversation about the condition of school buildings in many rural areas and the urgent need for proper inspections and timely repairs.