GWERU – A whirlwind on Tuesday caused extensive damage to a Grade 7 classroom block which had part of its roof blown off at Muwunga Primary School in Ascot, Gweru.

Seven pupils and three teachers were injured.

School officials said the whirlwind “appeared from nowhere” and swept through the block with three Grade 7 classrooms. Pupils and teachers scurried for cover under desks.

The whirlwind lasted a few seconds but left a trail of destruction. The injured were treated and discharged at Gweru General Hospital.

Headmistress Fortunate Zibhora briefed officials from the Ministry of Education who toured the school on Wednesday.

“It was calm and then suddenly the whirlwind hit the classrooms before sweeping through the passageway before it disappeared. It was so bad the building cracked and several roofing sheets were blown off,” Zibhora said.

“We had seven pupils and three teachers who were injured. One pupil was hit by a zinc sheet; another was injured during the stampede as they ran for cover while the rest were hit by a falling board which was in one of the classrooms.”

Zibhora said one of the pupils who was taken to hospital and discharged came to school the following day shivering, apparently still traumatised by the previous day’s events.

She appealed to well-wishers to assist with materials to repair the building and ensure that examinations and the rain season arrive after the building has been repaired.