Loreto student dies after school wall collapse in Punchana

An 18-year-old student has died following a structural collapse at the Petronila Perea de Ferrando Educational Institution in the Punchana district of Loreto, Peru.

According to Jehoshua López, director of the Loreto Regional Hospital, the victim died from multiple crushing injuries, including skull fractures. A second 18-year-old student was also injured but remains in stable condition under observation with multiple contusions.

Preliminary investigations suggest the incident occurred when students were using hammers to destroy a concrete wall, allegedly following an order from a teacher. The wall, which contained intertwined steel rods, collapsed onto the students. Police required heavy machinery to lift the structure and recover the victims.

The Ombudsman's Office has demanded immediate investigations and called upon the Public Ministry and the Maynas Local Education Management Unit (UGEL) to identify administrative and criminal responsibilities.