Two schoolgirls burned after touching high-tension wire at Muzaffarpur school
Synopsis
Two schoolgirls were burned — one critically — after coming into contact with an 11,000-volt high-tension line on the rooftop of a Muzaffarpur school during lunch break. Eyewitnesses allege the school gate was locked and a vehicle was withheld, forcing locals to arrange an auto-rickshaw to get the girls to hospital. The incident has ignited a debate about dangerously close electrical infrastructure near school buildings across Bihar.
Key Takeaways
Two girl students suffered burn injuries at Shahbazpur Higher Secondary School , Muzaffarpur , Bihar , on 9 October 2025 .
The students came into contact with an 11,000-volt high-tension power line passing near the school rooftop during lunch break.
At least one student is reported to be in critical condition ; both were admitted to Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH) .
Eyewitness Vaibhav Kumar alleged the school gate was not opened in time and the school vehicle was not provided for the emergency.
Conflicting accounts exist over whether two or three students were injured.
Demands for a formal investigation into school safety and the power line's proximity have been raised by locals and the community.
Two girl students suffered severe burn injuries after an electric shock incident at Shahbazpur Higher Secondary School in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, on Friday, 9 October 2025. The girls came into contact with an 11,000-volt high-tension power line that runs near the school rooftop, triggering panic on the campus and sparking demands for a safety investigation. At least one of the injured students is reported to be in critical condition.
How the Incident Unfolded
According to one of the injured students, identified as Neha, she had gone to the school rooftop along with classmates during the lunch break to eat. While on the roof, she touched a wall near the high-tension line and received a severe electric shock before falling. A second student also sustained burns, and conflicting accounts suggest a third girl may have been injured — a school teacher confirmed two students were hurt, while eyewitness statements indicate three girls suffered burns.
A student named Shruti reportedly showed presence of mind and helped bring the injured girls down from the rooftop. The injured students were subsequently admitted to Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH) in Muzaffarpur for treatment.
Allegations Against School Management
Eyewitness Vaibhav Kumar alleged that the school gate was not opened promptly to allow the students to be transported to hospital. He further alleged that a school vehicle was present on the premises but was not made available for the emergency. Locals ultimately arranged an auto-rickshaw to rush the injured girls to SKMCH. The school management has yet to issue a detailed response to these allegations.
Notably, several students reportedly fled the school campus in fear following the incident. The accident has fuelled resentment among local residents, who have accused the school administration of failing in its duty of care.
Safety Concerns and Demands for Action
The presence of an 11,000-volt high-tension power line passing near a functioning school building has raised serious questions about infrastructure safety and regulatory oversight. Residents and community members have demanded a formal investigation into the circumstances of the accident, the adequacy of safety arrangements at the school, and why a high-voltage line was permitted in such proximity to the school structure.
This incident reflects a broader, recurring concern across Bihar and other states where school buildings and high-voltage electrical infrastructure coexist without adequate safeguards — putting students at risk during routine activities. Official statements clarifying the cause and assigning responsibility are awaited from both school authorities and the state electricity department.
What Happens Next
Authorities have yet to announce a formal probe or detail the condition of the injured students beyond initial reports of one being critical. Pressure is mounting on district officials and the school management to respond to the dual concerns of delayed emergency response and the hazardous proximity of high-voltage lines to the school campus.
Point of View
000-volt line running adjacent to a functional school rooftop should never have been permitted, and the reported delay in opening the school gate and deploying an available vehicle compounds a physical hazard into a governance failure. Bihar's school infrastructure inspections have long been criticised as inadequate, and incidents like this reveal the gap between rules on paper and reality on the ground. Until electrical safety audits of school premises are mandated and enforced, the risk to students will persist.
NationPress
9 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at Shahbazpur Higher Secondary School in Muzaffarpur?
Two girl students suffered burn injuries on 9 October 2025 after coming into contact with an 11,000-volt high-tension power line that runs near the school's rooftop. The incident occurred during the lunch break when the students went to the rooftop to eat.
Where are the injured students being treated?
Both injured students were admitted to Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH) in Muzaffarpur, Bihar. At least one of them is reported to be in critical condition.
What are the allegations against the school management?
Eyewitness Vaibhav Kumar alleged that the school gate was not opened promptly and that a school vehicle on the premises was not made available to transport the injured girls. Locals had to arrange an auto-rickshaw to rush the students to hospital. The school management has not yet issued a detailed response.
How many students were actually injured in the incident?
There are conflicting accounts — a school teacher stated two students were injured, while eyewitness accounts and statements from the injured students suggest three girls suffered burns. The exact number has not been officially confirmed.
What action is being demanded following the incident?
Locals and community members are demanding a formal investigation into the safety arrangements at the school, the circumstances of the accident, and why an 11,000-volt high-tension power line is permitted to pass in such close proximity to the school building. Official statements from authorities are still awaited.
