Independence Day Horror in Sambhal: School Canopy Collapses During Event, Over 12 Students Injured

A festive Independence Day celebration turned into a scene of chaotic panic in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal district on Friday morning after a temporary canopy erected at a local school collapsed onto a crowd of gathered children, injuring over a dozen students.

The incident took place during the flag hoisting ceremony at a school operating under the Chandausi police station area, where hundreds of students, parents, and local residents had assembled to mark India's 80th Independence Day.

Heavy Rain Weakened Structure Before Sudden Fall

According to eye-witnesses and local authorities, sudden structural weakness combined with heavy morning rainfall in the region caused the temporary shade structure to cave in without warning. The metal frame and heavy tarpaulin sheets crashed directly onto the seated rows of primary school children below.

Terrified parents and teachers immediately scrambled to pull children out from underneath the debris. Local villagers rushed to assist school staff in transporting the bleeding and screaming students to the nearest community health centre.

Police Launch Investigation into Management Negligence

Emergency medical teams reported that at least 12 children sustained head injuries, cuts, and fractures in the collapse. Two students, whose conditions deteriorated shortly after admission, were transferred to a district hospital in Moradabad for emergency treatment. Medical officers confirmed that while several victims remain under observation, all are currently in stable condition.

Senior police personnel and district administrative officials arrived at the spot shortly after the incident to secure the area and initiate an inquiry. Officials confirmed that an investigation is underway to examine whether the school administration failed to secure basic safety measures or ignored structural risks while setting up the event space amid inclement weather.