• At least seven children killed in a school roof collapse in Rajasthan.
• Around 20 others injured, with some in critical condition.
• Heavy monsoon rains may have contributed to the building's structural failure.

At least seven children were killed and approximately 20 others injured when the roof of a government primary school collapsed in Jhalawar district, Rajasthan, on Friday morning, reports indicate. The incident occurred during a morning assembly while around 60 students were present in the building. Rescue efforts are ongoing as local villagers assisted in clearing the debris to save trapped students, highlighting the urgency of the situation, according to Al Jazeera and India Times.

The local police indicated that the building was old and had likely succumbed to the effects of recent heavy monsoons, which raised concerns about safety conditions in such facilities. "Some students are in critical condition," said police officer Amit Kumar. Rajasthan's Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma stressed that "instructions have been given to the concerned authorities to ensure proper treatment for the injured children,” as reported by South China Morning Post and TRT Global.

Education Minister Madan Dilawar announced a “high level inquiry” to understand the cause of the collapse, suggesting the building's dilapidated condition had been previously flagged due to insufficient safeguards. This incident reflects broader issues with infrastructure in rural education settings in India, as many such facilities are poorly maintained and lack adequate oversight, according to CBS News and Reuters.