A classroom ceiling collapsed during a lesson in a school in the Far East Russian town of Baley in the Zabaikalsky region, sparking an investigation into safety standards.
Eight students were in the classroom at the time the collapse began on Thursday when their teacher heard noises from above and evacuated the class before the plaster and suspended ceiling fell, Zabaikalsky region Governor Alexander Osipov wrote on Telegram.
No injuries were reported.
The independent outlet Lyudi Baikala shared video showing broken ceiling tiles and other debris in the dust-covered classroom as panicked children peer inside.
Osipov said the collapse occurred two years after the building underwent major renovations. He said the contractor’s warranty remains valid until 2026 and that workers were already on-site repairing the damage.
The regional prosecutor’s office has launched an investigation to determine whether safety and maintenance standards were met during and after the renovation. Prosecutors said they would assess compliance with building regulations and hold those responsible accountable.
The acting district prosecutor visited the school with local officials to inspect the damage. She ordered the officials to address violations related to property maintenance, oversight and the safety of the educational process.
Regional investigators launched a criminal case into safety violations.
The collapse follows similar incidents across Russia, highlighting the country’s crumbling public infrastructure.
According to the independent outlet 7x7, at least 31 Russian schools have seen partial roof or ceiling collapses since 2023, and 510 schools nationwide are listed as unsafe or in need of major repairs.
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