Five Bolivian students die and three injured as fourth-storey railing collapses over stairwell

At least five students die and three are injured as railing collapses sending people plummeting down a four-storey stairwell as dozens of youngsters try to cram into Bolivian university protest meeting

  • WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT: A huge crowd was gathered at El Alto University
  • They were trying to enter an assembly room when a metal barrier snapped
  • Two women and three men are confirmed dead while three more are in hospital

At least five students have died and three are seriously injured after they plummeted down a four-storey stairwell when a railing collapsed at a Bolivian university.

A large group of youngsters at the University of El Alto were crowding outside a protest meeting when the metal barrier snapped.

Horrifying footage shows the moment the thronging crowd trying to enter the student assembly on Tuesday.

At least five students have died and three are seriously injured after they plummeted down a four-storey stairwell when a railing collapsed at a Bolivian university

Two women and one man were killed by the fall, while five other men were taken to hospital.

Two of them have since died as a result of their injuries. 

The university and police have launched an investigation into the cause of the accident.

Bolivian President Luis Arce said: ‘We regret the tragedy that occurred at the Public University of #ElAlto (UPEA), where there were several deaths and injuries.

‘Our deepest condolences to the people of El Alto and to the suffering families. We await the prompt clarification of the facts.’

A large group of youngsters at the University of El Alto were crowding outside a protest meeting when the metal barrier snapped

A large group of youngsters at the University of El Alto were crowding outside a protest meeting when the metal barrier snapped

Horrifying footage shows the moment the thronging crowd trying to enter the student assembly on Tuesday

Horrifying footage shows the moment the thronging crowd trying to enter the student assembly on Tuesday

Two women and one man were killed by the fall, while five other men were taken to hospital

Two women and one man were killed by the fall, while five other men were taken to hospital

‘So far we have a report of five dead and three people in intensive care after what happened at the #UPEA facilities,’ Interior Minister Eduardo Del Castillo wrote on Twitter. 

Many have questioned why so many students were allowed to gather in proximity to each other while Covid-19 restrictions are still in place.

The assembly was held in the Business Administration building where students were protesting over financial issues.

A university administrator said assemblies have been temporarily banned due to the pandemic and he was unsure why so many students were allowed in. 

Students and relatives await information after the accident in which several students died at the Public University in El Alto

Students and relatives await information after the accident in which several students died at the Public University in El Alto

Anxious parents were held back by police after the shocking incident on Tuesday morning

Anxious parents were held back by police after the shocking incident on Tuesday morning

A university administrator said assemblies have been temporarily banned due to the pandemic and he was unsure why so many students were allowed in

A university administrator said assemblies have been temporarily banned due to the pandemic and he was unsure why so many students were allowed in