Two students were killed and at least 25 were injured after a retaining wall built next to a school in Taukhel, Godavari, caved in following heavy rains on Friday morning.

The deceased have been identified as Kripa Rai and Anima Magar, both third graders.

The 32-foot-long and eight-foot-tall retaining wall was built adjacent to the prefabricated building of Pushpanjali Boarding School, where third graders and eighth graders were accommodated.

According to SSP Pitamber Adhikari, chief of Metropolitan Police Range, Lalitpur, 25 students were injured when the wall came crashing down.

Of the injured, three are undergoing treatment at Patan Hospital and 16 at B&B Hospital in Gwarko.

Condition of four students is said to be critical.

“I was taking notes of my Nepali class. I heard a big sound, and as I looked back, I saw something coming towards us,” said Ram Karki, a third grader, who has been admitted to Patan Hospital. He has sustained injuries on his head and right hand. “I can’t remember what happened next,” he said.

The retaining wall was built by Karma Lama, according to locals and school staff. Puhami Kanti Bajracharya Lepcha, principal of the school, said she had repeatedly asked Lama not to build the wall.

Following the incident, Home Minister Shakti Basnet and Education Minister Giriraj Mani Pokhrel had reached the hospital to enquire about the injured.