40 Students Injured As Balcony Of Private School In UP Caves In; 5 Critical, 15 In Trauma Centre

Lucknow: At least 40 children, in the age group of 8 to 15 years, were injured when a part of the first-floor balcony of a private school at UP’s Barabanki district, caved in on Friday.

PTI quoted Barabanki SP Dinesh Kumar Singh as saying that 5 students are in critical condition, while 15 have been shifted to a trauma centre.

The mishap took place at the Awadh Academy School when dozens of a children gathered on the balcony while going down to attend the assembly session.

Barabanki district magistrate Satyendra Kumar said around 20 injured students are undergoing treatment at Jahangeerabad Community Health Centre, located about 300 metres from the private institution.

The school has been sealed till further orders, and a magisterial inquiry has been ordered to find out the reason behind the cave-in.

The DM said legal action will be initiated against school authorities and others responsible for the accident.

He said as per preliminary investigation, the first floor caved in possibly due to overloading.

According to the SP, though the school has affiliation till class X, the authorities were running classes till 12th standard.

The Education department has been asked to give its report on this irregularity.