GUJRAT: Two students were killed and 20 other people -- 16 students and four teachers -- were injured when the wall of an elite school collapsed during a Milad event inside school along the GT Road in Jhelum on Friday.

Eight critically injured people were shifted to Rawalpindi whereas remaining were discharged after being given first aid at Jhelum District Headquarters Hospital, Shoaib Kiyani, the medical superintendent of the hospital, told the reporters.

He confirmed the death of two 15-year-old matric students, identified as Junaid and Aal-e-Muhammad, whereas five students and three teachers were shifted to a hospital in Rawalpindi. Most of the critically injured had fractures in the head or backbone.

Jhelum Education Chief Executive Officer Maroof Hussain said the rehearsal of a Milad event was happening on the school premises and the tent rope was tied with the boundary wall from the backside of the stage.

However, the condition of wall was not good and when a strong breeze blew away the tent, the rope pulled the wall down. As a result, the wall caved in on the stage, which had students and teachers on it.

Mr Hussain claimed that an inquiry would be conducted into the matter and legal action would be taken against those responsible.

The Rescue 1122 reached the spot soon after the incident and took care of the injured.

The sources said nine students with minor injuries were given the first aid at the school and 16 students were shifted to the hospital.

Published in Dawn, October 23rd, 2021