Bihar wall collapse kills two toddlers in Bhojpur, grandfather hurt
Synopsis
A crumbling boundary wall in Bihar's Bhojpur district killed two toddler cousins — aged 3 and 2½ — while they played outside their home on 18 July. Their grandfather was also injured. The incident has renewed concerns about neglected old structures in Bihar's smaller localities, where such collapses recur with troubling frequency.
Key Takeaways
Shivansh Kumar (3) and Ankit Kumar (2½) , cousins, died after a boundary wall collapsed in Ward No.
6, Bihiya Nagar Parishad, Bhojpur on 18 July .
Their grandfather, Chhotak Rajak , sustained injuries and is currently undergoing treatment.
Shivansh died at the scene; Ankit succumbed to injuries at a nearby hospital.
Bihiya Police have launched an investigation; bodies sent for post-mortem examination.
The Bhojpur District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police have directed authorities to take appropriate action and initiate compensation for the families.
Two young cousins, aged under four, were killed and their grandfather injured after a dilapidated boundary wall caved in at Ward No. 6 of Bihiya Nagar Parishad in Bihar's Bhojpur district on Saturday, 18 July, police confirmed. The children were playing outside their home when the aged structure gave way without warning, burying them under the rubble.
How the Tragedy Unfolded
The deceased have been identified as Shivansh Kumar (3), son of Sajan Rajak, and Ankit Kumar (2½), son of Rahul Rajak — both cousins from the same extended family residing in Ward No. 6 under the jurisdiction of Bihiya Police Station. According to officials, the two children were outdoors near their home when the old and structurally weakened boundary wall suddenly collapsed, trapping them beneath the debris. Their grandfather, Chhotak Rajak, who was in the immediate vicinity, also sustained injuries in the incident.
Neighbours who heard the crash rushed to the spot and began removing debris by hand. Shivansh was found dead at the scene, while Ankit, who was critically injured, was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries despite medical intervention.
The Families Behind the Numbers
Shivansh was the third of four brothers, while Ankit was the only son of his parents — a detail that has deepened the grief for both households. The deaths have plunged the entire neighbourhood into mourning, with relatives and residents gathering at the victims' homes to offer condolences. Several local leaders also visited to express their sympathies.
Police and District Response
Bihiya Police reached the site after being alerted and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collapse. The bodies of both children were sent for post-mortem examinations. Authorities have briefed the Bhojpur District Magistrate and the Superintendent of Police, both of whom have directed that appropriate action be taken. The process of providing compensation to the bereaved families has been initiated, officials said.
A Recurring Risk
The collapse of ageing boundary walls and structures in Bihar's smaller urban and semi-urban localities is not an isolated phenomenon. Such incidents — particularly during or after the monsoon season, when soil moisture weakens foundations — have claimed lives in the state repeatedly in recent years. This latest tragedy underscores persistent concerns about the upkeep of old constructions in densely populated residential areas. The injured grandfather, Chhotak Rajak, remains under medical care, and the investigation is ongoing.
Point of View
And the monsoon season reliably turns structural weakness into fatal collapse. The fact that compensation is being 'initiated' after two children are dead points to a reactive, not preventive, governance model. Until local bodies are held accountable for proactive structural surveys — and penalised for inaction — such tragedies will recur.
NationPress
18 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Bhojpur wall collapse on 18 July?
A dilapidated boundary wall collapsed in Ward No. 6 of Bihiya Nagar Parishad in Bihar's Bhojpur district on 18 July, killing two toddler cousins — Shivansh Kumar (3) and Ankit Kumar (2½) — while they were playing outside their home. Their grandfather, Chhotak Rajak, was also injured in the incident.
Who were the children killed in the Bhojpur wall collapse?
The deceased are Shivansh Kumar, aged 3, son of Sajan Rajak, and Ankit Kumar, aged 2½, son of Rahul Rajak. Both were cousins from the same extended family living in Ward No. 6 of Bihiya Nagar Parishad.
What action has been taken after the Bhojpur wall collapse?
Bihiya Police reached the site and launched an investigation. The bodies were sent for post-mortem examination. The Bhojpur District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police have been informed and have directed authorities to take appropriate action. Compensation proceedings for the bereaved families have also been initiated.
Why are such wall collapses common in Bihar during monsoon?
Ageing and poorly maintained boundary walls in Bihar's smaller urban localities are particularly vulnerable during the monsoon season, when increased soil moisture weakens foundations. Systematic structural safety audits by local bodies are rarely conducted, making such collapses a recurring hazard.
What is the condition of the injured grandfather?
Chhotak Rajak, the grandfather of the two deceased children, sustained injuries in the wall collapse and is currently undergoing medical treatment, according to officials.
