Thrissur (Keralam) | A major accident was averted as a portion of a school building collapsed at Kodassery here on Friday while the institution was closed for a holiday, officials said.

A portion of the Chaipankuzhi Government Upper Primary School collapsed at around 11 am, with the school closed in connection with Krishna Janmashtami.

According to Kodassery panchayat officials, the school's compound wall collapsed first, followed by a portion of the open-stage structure, which fell onto a school bus parked on the premises and partially damaged it.

Panchayat officials said road-widening work being carried out as part of the Hill Highway project could have affected the compound wall and the school building, which was constructed in 2002.

PWD officials reached the spot and examined the condition of the remaining structure.

Officials said the Education Department would decide on the functioning of the school after the PWD and panchayat assess the structural strength and safety of the remaining building.