Security forces stand among the rubble of the collapsed structure at al-Quddus Intermediate School in Radwaniya, where one student was killed and another injured.
Baghdad governor says collapsed school building was community-built
BAGHDAD — Baghdad’s governorate on Wednesday released new details on the collapse at al-Quddus Intermediate School in Radwaniya, where part of a classroom structure fell earlier in the day, killing one student and injuring another.
In a statement, the governorate’s media office said Baghdad Governor Atwan al-Atwani expressed “deep sorrow for the collapse of part of the al-Quddus School building in the Radwaniya area,” clarifying that “the building was constructed by residents and is not connected to governorate projects.” He offered condolences to the victim’s family and wished the injured student a fast recovery, emphasizing the need “to comply with engineering standards when constructing school buildings to protect students and teaching staff.”
Education Minister Ibrahim Namis al-Jubouri earlier directed a technical committee to announce its findings within 24 hours. The ministry said al-Jubouri assigned the Higher Technical Committee, chaired by the director general of educational planning, to deliver conclusions within one day. He also ordered school building departments not to allow administrations to add structures “outside official regulations, especially those built by donors,” unless formal ministry approval is granted. A nationwide survey of school buildings was also ordered to ensure structural safety.
A local source said the collapse occurred inside one of the classrooms near Yousifiya, south of Baghdad, killing a student and injuring another. Authorities have not released further details on the cause.