A Class V student, identified as Prahlad Dhal of Badas Upper Primary School in Baliapal block, lost his life after a concrete slab collapsed on him during school hours in Balasore district on Thursday.
Reports said students were playing in the school premises during the midday meal break when a slab, installed as part of construction work for a new building, suddenly broke and fell on Prahlad. He sustained critical injuries.
School authorities and locals rushed him to the Baliapal IDCO Community Health Centre. Doctors later referred him to AIIMS, Remuna, in Balasore for advanced treatment. Despite medical efforts, Prahlad succumbed to his injuries, and doctors declared him dead.
The incident has triggered widespread anger and grief. Parents, guardians, and locals blamed negligence and lack of safety measures for the tragedy. They pointed out that construction work was being carried out while students were present, exposing them to serious risks.
Community members have demanded a thorough investigation, accountability of those responsible, and strict enforcement of safety protocols in schools. The mishap has reignited concerns about infrastructure standards and child safety in Odisha’s educational institutions.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed deep sorrow over the tragic death of Prahlad Dhal. He conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and assured support during this difficult time. He announced an ex-gratia assistance of Rs 4 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF) for the deceased student’s immediate kin.
ବାଲେଶ୍ୱର ଜିଲ୍ଲା ବାଲିଆପାଳ ତହସିଲର ପ୍ରହଲ୍ଲାଦ ଧଳ (ପିତା- ପ୍ରମୋଦ ଧଳ)ଙ୍କର ଦୁଃଖଦ ଦୁର୍ଘଟଣାରେ ପ୍ରାଣହାନି ସମ୍ପର୍କରେ ଜାଣି ମୁଖ୍ୟମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଶ୍ରୀ @MohanMOdisha ଗଭୀର ଶୋକ ପ୍ରକାଶ କରିବା ସହ ମୃତକଙ୍କ ପରିବାର ବର୍ଗଙ୍କ ପ୍ରତି ସମବେଦନା ଜଣାଇଛନ୍ତି। ଏଥିସହ ମୃତକଙ୍କ ପରିବାରର ନିକଟତମ ଆତ୍ମୀୟଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ମୁଖ୍ୟମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ରିଲିଫ…
— CMO Odisha (@CMO_Odisha) January 9, 2026
