Seven people were killed when powerful winds from a rainstorm caused the metal roof over a school sports field to collapse.
The disaster occurred on Monday, May 22, in northern Thailand. Among the deceased were four children, aged six to 13, who were playing inside the open-sided structure at Wat Nern Por primary school in Phichit province, located 185 miles north of Bangkok.
According to the provincial office of public relations, two parents and a janitor were among the adults who suffered fatal injuries. Additionally, 18 other people were hurt. The latest casualty was a six-year-old boy who passed away late Monday night at a hospital.
Reports indicated that several students sought shelter inside the activity center to escape the rain when the roof gave way. A post on the official disaster prevention department’s Facebook page confirmed that 18 people were hospitalized.
Patcharin Siri, a staff member of the provincial Public Relations Department disclosed that the deceased included four boys, two parents, and one school staff member responsible for cleaning.
Disturbing footage shared on the local public relations office’s Facebook page depicted a twisted jumble of metal, with poles and corrugated iron strewn across the ground.
In Thailand, it is common for schools to have sports fields with open-sided roofs, offering protection to children from the intense tropical sun during playtime.
The incident coincides with the onset of the monsoon season in Thailand, with heavy rainfall expected across much of the country in the days ahead.
Recently, neighboring Myanmar faced the devastating impact of Cyclone Mocha, which ravaged Rakhine state and resulted in the loss of 145 lives.
Building collapses are common in Thailand, as safety and maintenance standards can sometimes be lax.
