A Class V student, Prahlad Dhala, died after a concrete slab collapsed on him during the midday meal break at Badas Upper Primary School in Baliapal block, Balasore district, Odisha.
The slab was part of ongoing construction work on the school premises and, according to police and eyewitness accounts, fell unexpectedly while students were playing nearby.
Prahlad was taken first to the local Baliapal IDCO Community Health Centre and later referred to AIIMS Remuna for advanced treatment, but he succumbed to his injuries en route.
The tragedy has sparked anger and protests by parents and local residents, who have accused school authorities and contractors of negligence and poor safety measures. Officials have begun a formal investigation into the incident and have committed to taking appropriate action once the probe concludes.
Accident Details and Immediate Aftermath
The tragic incident unfolded on Thursday afternoon, during the midday meal break, when children were out on the school grounds at Badas Upper Primary School.
As reported by multiple news outlets, Prahlad was playing near the construction area of a new building on the school compound when a large concrete slab from the uncompleted structure suddenly collapsed on him.
The force of the falling slab caused critical injuries, and he was quickly surrounded by teachers, school staff and local residents who attempted to assist him.
Witnesses described scenes of panic and shock as the incident occurred. Fellow students ran to fetch teachers, while adults immediately rushed Prahlad to the Baliapal IDCO Community Health Centre.
Given the severity of his injuries, doctors there determined he needed a higher level of care and referred him to AIIMS in Remuna, a better-equipped hospital in Balasore district. Despite these efforts, Prahlad died before reaching the facility or shortly after arrival, and was declared brought dead by medical staff.
Local police and the Baliapal Block Education Officer, Jagabandhu Mallik, have acknowledged the incident and confirmed that a formal investigation has been ordered to determine the exact cause of the collapse and to ascertain whether safety norms were violated. Mallik stated that authorities will take action based on the findings of this probe.
Community Outrage, Protests and Safety Concerns
In the wake of Prahlad’s death, widespread outrage has erupted across the community. Parents, guardians and local residents have expressed deep grief and anger, accusing school authorities and the contractors involved in the construction of failing to enforce necessary safety precautions.
Many noted that construction was taking place while students were present on the premises, and that there was no visible segregation or protection around the worksite, which they believe directly contributed to the tragedy.
Protesters gathered in significant numbers outside the school, locking the gates, blocking nearby roads and demanding justice for Prahlad.
Some reports suggest that locals even burnt tyres to draw attention to their demands, creating temporary disruptions in the Baliapal area. Demonstrators called for a thorough and transparent investigation, the removal of unsafe structures, and compensation for the bereaved family.
One guardian, speaking to reporters and other residents, alleged that the structure involved in the collapse showed signs of weakening and was possibly unsafe, yet it remained in place while children were playing nearby.
There were calls for greater accountability not only from the school administration but also from the education department and department responsible for the construction. Police were deployed to maintain order and to help facilitate the investigation, while attempts were made to calm the situation and address locals’ concerns.
Broader Context: Infrastructure Safety in Odisha Schools
This tragedy in Balasore is not an isolated incident. Recent reports indicate similar accidents in other parts of Odisha’s school system, where inadequate safety measures have led to injuries and worse.
In some schools, signboards and lightweight structures have collapsed, leading to fatal and non-fatal injuries among students. In one instance, a Class III student died and another was critically injured when a plaque fell at a government residential school in Koraput district. The very next day, another student was killed and two injured after a signboard fell at a school in Tiring village in Mayurbhanj district.
These recurring incidents have raised broader questions about safety oversight, infrastructure standards, and risk assessment protocols in schools across the state, particularly in government-run institutions. While efforts to upgrade and expand school facilities under various development programmes are commendable, residents and education experts argue that such improvements should never compromise the safety of students or staff.
Experts in educational infrastructure highlight that construction sites on school grounds require strict scheduling, such as ensuring work happens outside school hours, clear barriers around active zones, warning signs, and regular inspections by qualified engineers. The failure to implement these basic safeguards, as alleged in the Balasore incident, can turn routine upgrades into life-threatening hazards.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The death of a young child on school grounds is a tragedy that strikes at the very heart of our collective responsibility. Schools are meant to be safe, nurturing spaces where children can learn, play and grow with dignity and security. When that safety is compromised whether by negligence, oversight or systemic gaps the consequences are devastating, as Prahlad’s family and community now know all too painfully.
It is time for policymakers, administrators and civil society to move beyond expressions of sorrow and towards meaningful action. This includes enforcing stringent safety standards for school infrastructure projects, ensuring accountability at every level of oversight, and empowering communities to be vigilant custodians of their local schools.
