School roof collapse in western India kills 8 children and injures at least 27

The roof of a government middle school building collapsed Friday inIndia’swestern state of Rajasthan, killing 8 children and injuring at least 27, a senior police official said.

The collapse occurred soon after the students had reached their classrooms and were about to start the school assembly, said police official Amit Kumar.

It is still unclear what caused the roof to collapse.

The school, located in Piplod village of Jhalawar district, has students studying up to eighth grade, or what is called a middle school in India.

A total of around 35 students were present when the roof collapsed. All seven fatalities were students from seventh and eighth grade, Kumar said. The injured have been transported to two local hospitals for treatment.

The office ofIndian Prime Minister Narendra Modilamented the accident in a social media post, calling it “tragic" and “deeply saddening.”

“My thoughts are with the affected students and their families in this difficult hour," the statement read, adding that authorities are providing “all possible assistance."