Thread: 6 students killed, 18 injured in school roof collapse

Six students were crushed to death and 18 others, many of them also students, sustained injuries when the roof of a school building in Sam Ngam district of Phichit province collapsed on them during a heavy rainstorm on Monday evening.


Initial reports indicate that two students died at the scene and four others were pronounced dead on arrival at a hospital in the district.


It is reported that many students and others took shelter in a building of Wat Noen Po School in Noen Po sub-district during the heavy downpour and strong wind before the roof caved in.


Rescue teams were dispatched to the school to extract those trapped under the debris. Over 20 people were pulled out and two of them were found to have died. The rest were taken to hospital, but four were pronounced dead upon arrival.


Phichit Governor Payon Asawapichayon went to the school to supervise rescue operations. A probe is expected to be launched today (Tuesday).

6 students killed, 18 injured in school roof collapse | Thai PBS World : The latest Thai news in English, News Headlines, World News and News Broadcasts in both Thai and English. We bring Thailand to the world

Terrible news.

Risk factors behind fatal school building collapse in Phichit province

There were at least five risk factors contributing to the collapse of the roof of a multi-purpose building at Wat Noen Por School in Sam Ngam district of Phichit province on Monday evening, resulting in the deaths of seven students and injuries to 18 others, including parents and janitors, according to Thailand’s Structural Engineers Association (TSEA).


Professor Dr. Amorn Pimanmas, the association’s president, identified the risk factors as:


The strength of a summer storm is 2-3 times greater than normal wind and they happen in a narrow area and rapidly. Their strength can bring down the structure of a building.
Physical structures have ample surface area for wind push against, such as billboards and roofs. Roofs, which cover a wide area, are at higher risk of collapse.
Structural design does not take into account the risk from summer storms.
Substandard design or construction, as can be seen from the breaking of the supporting concrete pillars, meant they were unable to support the roof when it was hit by a storm.
The construction materials used may not have been up to standard, as evidenced by the destruction of the concrete pillars.
He said that these are just initial assumptions, as there are could be other accompanying factors which will be detailed in the site inspection and analysis.


The professor said that summer storms are a natural threat which should not be underestimated, adding that there may be numerous other buildings which are at risk, especially buildings which use the same design and standards as the one which collapsed.


For safety’s sake, during thunderstorms, he advised people to take cover in a strong building.


Risk factors behind fatal school building collapse in Phichit province | Thai PBS World : The latest Thai news in English, News Headlines, World News and News Broadcasts in both Thai and English. We bring Thailand to the world

I think it's called one risk factor.

Substandard building for the local conditions.

Originally Posted by DrWilly

Substandard building for the local conditions.

Really, any conditions....

His Majesty the King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua has pledged to cover the medical expenses of those injured in a tragic roof collapse at a school in Phichit during a storm on Monday evening. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha announced this decision during a visit to the affected Ban Noen Po School and the local community in Sam Ngam district, following the incident which claimed seven lives and left 18 people injured.
PM Prayut said…
“His Majesty the King has accepted all injured people under royal patronage. This is the grace of the royal institution extended to all people. We cherish the kindness of His Majesty the King in our hearts.”

Thai King to cover medical costs for victims of Phichit school roof collapse | Thaiger