BOBAI, Guangxi, May 28 (Xinhua) -- Police in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region have detained a primary school principal after a retaining wall at the school collapsed Wednesday, killing three students and injuring 21 others.
Police detained the principal, Zheng Xiande, shortly after the incident at the Wushuiling branch of Guihua Village Primary School in Bobai County Wednesday afternoon, top county official Wen Daqin said Friday.
School authorities allegedly mobilized 190 fifth and sixth grade students to reinforce the 1.6-meter high wall as a part of the curriculum designed to improve children's work skills.
The wall collapse buried 24 students, 11 boys and 13 girls. One boy and two of the girls died.
Three other children suffered serious injuries and underwent chest or brain operations at the county hospital. The other 18 victims, who suffered fractures, are in a stable condition.
Classes at the school were suspended Thursday and Friday. They are expected to resume Monday.
The county government has launched a safety overhaul at schools to prevent similar accidents.