VIDEO: Tree falls on school in Paraná and students manage to save themselves following Civil Defense protocol

A large tree fell on the Lauro Gomes State College, in Londrina, in the north of Paraná, during a storm in the early evening of Thursday (12). A classroom full of students was hit and the teenagers managed to save themselves by following a protocol recommended by Civil Defense.

Security cameras recorded the situation. In the images it is possible to observe the moment when, after the tree fell, part of the ceiling collapsed. The students and the teacher run out and have to jump over the damage to get out of the place. In another room, students quickly hide under their desks to protect themselves. The images were blurred to protect the students, who are minors.

According to the State Department of Education (Seed), no one was injured. However, damage was recorded to equipment in the computer laboratory and part of the school's roof.

Because of this, the structure of the institution will need to undergo renovation. According to Seed, the cleaning and restoration work on the roof, as well as the computer room, begins on Monday (16).

Families were notified that classes this Friday (13) were suspended in both shifts. Classes are expected to resume on Thursday (19).

Until then, to ensure the continuity of educational activities, students will have remote classes and will receive printed teaching materials.

In situations of windstorm and hail, for example, Civil Defense guidance is to remain a safe distance from doors and windows close to external areas.

If the weather event occurs while students are at school, it is recommended that students remain in the classroom, at the point furthest from the window, sheltering under their desks with their backpacks and protecting their heads, as the students at Colégio Estadual Lauro Gomes did.

The guidance is part of a practical guide launched in October by the State Civil Defense Coordination (Cedec) and the Paraná Department of Education, with tips on how to deal with windstorms, hail, floods and flooding in the regions of the teaching units.

The measure was adopted given the forecast of strong influence of the El Niño phenomenon for the months of October and November in the south of the country.

The material serves as a basis for principals, teachers and other school employees to prepare actions in response to possible severe events in the school environment.

According to the document, in the event of a fire, for example, the guidance is to leave the building in an organized and quick manner, following the evacuation protocol, to a safe point.

For floods and flooding, the ideal is to take students to the highest points of the building.

In situations related to excessive rain or strong winds, the guidelines are different: the recommendation is to stay in the building, away from the windows, and seek protection in spaces where the structures are more robust, such as corridors.