During a lesson in the town of Baley, located in Russia’s Zabaikalsky region, the ceiling of a classroom collapsed, prompting a safety standards investigation.

At the moment of the incident on Thursday, eight students were present when their teacher noticed unusual noises coming from above. The teacher managed to evacuate the class just before the plaster and suspended ceiling caved in, as reported by Zabaikalsky region Governor Alexander Osipov on Telegram. Thankfully, no injuries were reported.

A video shared by the independent news outlet Lyudi Baikal captured the scene, showing shattered ceiling tiles and debris in the dust-laden classroom, with frightened students peeking inside.

Osipov noted that the collapse happened two years after significant renovations were completed on the building. He mentioned that the contractor’s warranty is still in effect until 2026, and repair work was already underway at the site.

The regional prosecutor’s office has initiated an inquiry to ascertain whether safety and maintenance standards were upheld during and after the renovation process. Prosecutors plan to evaluate adherence to building regulations and ensure accountability for those found at fault.

The acting district prosecutor, accompanied by local officials, visited the school to examine the damage and instructed them to address issues concerning property maintenance, oversight, and the overall safety of the educational environment.

Additionally, regional authorities have opened a criminal case related to safety infractions.

This incident is part of a troubling trend across Russia, exposing deteriorating public infrastructure. According to the independent outlet 7×7, there have been at least 31 reported cases of partial roof or ceiling collapses in Russian schools since the start of 2023, with a total of 510 schools nationwide deemed unsafe or requiring extensive repairs.