Education officials in South Africa say at least three students have been killed after a school building collapsed at Höerskool Driehoek, south of Johannesburg. Panyaza Lesufi, Gauteng provincial education minister, said a walkway gave in after assembly – injuring 23 pupils.
More than 20 students have been were taken to hospital – some were airlifted for urgent medical care.The school is now closed as it is regarded as a crime scene. The cause of the collapse it not yet known but investigations are under way. The school says it is working on identifying those who died and notifying their next of kin.
There are 1,060 students at the school and trauma counselling will be available to those who need it. Höerskool Driehoek is a government school that opened 45 years ago. A local journalist has tweeted that parents gathered to hold a prayer session.
Messages of condolences and support have begun streaming in on local social media under the tag
