Arunachal Pradesh: Water Tank Bursts At Naharlagun's St Alphonsa School, 3 Dead, 2 Others Injured

Guwahati, December 14: Three students lost their lives and two others were critically injured after a water tank burst at St. Alphonsa School in Model Village during school hours. The collapse of a nearby wall, triggered by the tank's explosion, caused the fatal injuries while the students were playing on campus.

The tragedy unfolded amidst routine school activities, plunging the school into chaos. Emergency services rushed the injured to the Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (TRIHMS), but three students, all from Class 9, succumbed to their injuries despite medical efforts. The two critically injured students remain under intensive care.

Speaking to the media, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Rishi Longdconfirmed the incident, describing it as a clear case of negligence by the school authorities. He revealed that six individuals, including the principal, the owner, and four wardens of a school, have been arrested.

The school premises have been sealed, and police have been deployed to manage potential protests from outraged parents and community members. Authorities have assured that a full-scale investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the tank's collapse and to hold those responsible accountable.

An FIR has been registered at the Naharlagun Police Station, and investigations are underway to determine the cause of the incident, according to the SDPO. The accident occurred around 9:00 am as students were preparing for their examinations and revising near the tank.

Doctors at TRIHMS confirmed that the three deceased, aged between 14 and 15, were declared dead on arrival despite resuscitation efforts. “Their bodies had severe fractures, particularly in the skull and legs,” a doctor said. The two injured students, aged around 10, are receiving treatment for a fractured collarbone and a leg injury.