2 kids buried alive in classroom as wall collapses

Belagavi, Jul 12: Two schoolchildren attending class were buried alive and 11 others injured when the wall of the Government Girls' Primary School building at Yamakanamaradi village in Hukkeri taluk collapsed on Monday.

The school is housed in two structures — one old and another built recently. Class V having 23 students was being run in the old, dilapidated building, though senior officials had ordered shifting to the new building.

The wall collapsed struck after incessent rain. The wall caved in, trapping Shweta Satyappa Koli and Lagmavva Basappa Kattimani, both 11, and burying them alive.

The school staff and local residents rushed to clear the rubble and rescue the students, but it was too late.

Eleven other students have suffered injuries and were admitted to the government hospital.

Gajanan Mannikeri, Deputy Director of Public Instruction, Chikkodi, blamed Headmaster Mahadev Bhimgol for not shifting the classroom despite receiving instructions. He has been suspended pending inquiry. A case has been registered at the Yamakanamaradi police station.