3 students die in wall collapse

KURNOOL: Three schoolchildren were killed and at least 10 others were injured when a partition wall collapsed on them at a private school in Gajulapalli village of Mahanandi mandal in the district on Thursday.The school staff fled from the spot fearing public wrath.An inquiry has been ordered by the district education officer into the incident.A couple Lakshminarayana and Sulochana started Shiva Rama Krishna High School at Gajulapalli in 2002.The couple were reportedly working as teachers in government schools.Though the building is said to be new and strong, the partition walls for classrooms were constructed later without any foundation.During the school hours, the brick partition wall in a class caved in and fell on the students.Without even making any attempt to help the children, the school staff reportedly fled from the spot.The school correspondents Lakshminarayana and Sulochana who were not present at the school during the mishap, were also absconding.Some of the residents of the locality heard the children crying and rushed to the spot and rescued them.They found two children - Kethu Reddy (9), and Stephen (10) dead under the debris.Students were shifted to nearby hospital where one Jaya (10) was declared brought dead.The condition of five others is said to be critical.Nandyal DSP Naganna and RDO Shankar visited the spot.DEO V Subbaiah suspended Lakshminarayana and Sulochana who were running private school despite working as government teachers