Rajasthan: In a tragic incident in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, a six-year-old student, Arbaz Khan, lost his life, and a teacher, Ashok Kumar Soni, was injured when a concrete slab holding up the main gate of a government school in the Ramgarh area collapsed on Monday, July 28, 2025. The tragedy occurred at the Government Girls Higher Secondary School in Poonam Nagar village as students were leaving the premises at the end of the school day.
According to Jaisalmer Superintendent of Police Abhishek Shivhare, the incident took place around midday when strong winds reportedly caused the dilapidated gate pillar to give way. The collapsing structure struck Arbaz Khan, a first-grade student, resulting in his immediate death, while teacher Ashok Kumar Soni sustained serious injuries to his head and leg, requiring treatment at Jawahir Hospital. Another student reportedly suffered minor injuries.
The incident, coming just three days after a school building collapse in Jhalawar claimed seven lives, has sparked outrage among locals and the victim’s family, who staged a protest outside the school, demanding accountability for the poor state of school infrastructure. Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot expressed his condolences on X, stating, “The death of an innocent student due to the collapse of the school gate in Jaisalmer is very sad. After the Jhalawar tragedy, the death of a student in this manner should be a matter of concern for the state government.” He urged Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma to take immediate steps to ensure such incidents are prevented, especially during the rainy season.
Officials are investigating the cause of the collapse, with preliminary reports suggesting that the gate’s poor condition and heavy winds were contributing factors. Jaisalmer District Collector Pratap Singh Nathawat confirmed the casualties and injuries, noting that discussions with the grieving family are ongoing to address their concerns.