PARVATHIPURAM-MANYAM : A 14-year-old Class X student was killed and a Class IX student seriously injured when a compound wall collapsed at a Zilla Parishad High School in Salur town during lunch break on Monday.
The deceased was identified as Thupakula Arun Teja, while the injured student was identified as Sondi Yacob. Both boys, residents of Relli Street within Salur municipality, were studying at the school.
The tragedy occurred when the students were resting near the school’s compound wall during the lunch break. Without warning, the wall collapsed on them. Hearing the noise, school staff rushed to the spot and pulled the students out. Arun Teja had, however, suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene.
Yacob sustained severe injuries and was shifted to the local government hospital, where he is undergoing treatment. Education Minister Nara Lokesh directed officials to ensure the best possible medical care for him.
Minister for Women and Child Welfare and Tribal Welfare and Salur MLA Gummidi Sandhya Rani expressed shock and grief over Arun Teja’s death and briefed Lokesh about the incident.
Minister orders probe into school wall collapse
Following the discussion, Lokesh announced an ex-gratia of ₹5 lakh for Arun Teja’s family and directed officials to extend all necessary medical assistance to Yacob.
The compensation, however, did not satisfy the bereaved family and relatives. They staged a dharna at the school premises, demanding higher compensation for the family and action over the circumstances that led to the wall collapse.
Sandhya Rani ordered a comprehensive inquiry into the incident and reached out to the family, conveying her condolences and assuring them that the government would stand by them during the difficult time. Lokesh expressed deep anguish over the death, saying the loss of a young student with a promising future was heartbreaking. He assured Arun Teja’s family of the government’s support and reiterated that Yacob would receive the best medical treatment.
The Education Minister also ordered a strict and transparent probe into the wall collapse and said stern action would be taken against those found responsible.
The incident has raised concerns over the safety of school infrastructure, particularly the condition of boundary walls on campuses where children spend a substantial part of their day. The inquiry is expected to establish the condition of the wall.
