Five schoolchildren and two adults were killed when a sports hall roof collapsed during a storm in Thailand.

The terrified youngsters were playing games inside the building when the violent whirlwind struck the Wat Nern Por school in Phichit province at around 6 pm on May 22.

They cowered in the corner of the hall as gales pounded the structure. The posts suddenly collapsed crushing a number of children, their parents, and staff.

Local media reported that at least seven were killed and a further 11 were injured, including at least eight of them seriously.

Officials said the fatalities included five students, a parent, and a school cleaner. One of the children, 6, was rushed to the ICU at the Phichit Hospital but succumbed to his injuries at 2 am today.

Phichit Governor Payon Asavapichayon said: "Police, rescue teams and government staff are providing assistance for everyone who was injured. A temporary shelter has also been provided for anyone whose home was affected.

"The administration has a fund to provide relief for residents. We will help everyone.

"Everyone is also thinking of the families who have lost relatives. We will help them with funeral expenses."

The storm also damaged houses in the area. Residents described the storm as "resembling a battlefield" and the most severe storm to hit Nern Por in four decades.

Kritsada Pattaraprasit, chief executive of the Phichit Provincial Administrative Organisation, has deployed backhoes and heavy machinery to dig up the wreckage of the stadium.

Phichit Governor Payon Asavapichayon is overseeing rescue efforts and has today declared the locality a disaster zone.

He said: "Police and soldiers were dispatched to aid the affected families. We will continue to assess the damage that has occurred and find ways to help the victims of this storm."

Thailand and neighbouring countries in Southeast Asia are approaching their annual monsoon rainy season which sees soaring temperatures followed by powerful rain storms in the afternoon leading to widespread flash floods.

Five schoolchildren and two adults were killed when a sports hall roof collapsed during a storm in Thailand yesterday.

The terrified youngsters were playing games inside the building when the violent whirlwind struck the Wat Nern Por school in Phichit province at around 6 pm on May 22.

They cowered in the corner of the hall as a gales pounded the structure. The posts suddenly collapsed crushing a number of children, their parents and staff.

Local media reported that at least seven were killed and a further 11 were injured, including at least eight of them seriously.

Officials said the fatalities included five students, a parent, and a school cleaner. One of the children, 6, was rushed to the ICU at the Phichit Hospital but succumbed to his injuries at 2 am today.

Phichit Governor Payon Asavapichayon said: 'Police, rescue teams and government staff are providing assistance for everyone who was injured. Temporary shelter has also been provided for anyone whose home was affected.

'The administration has a fund to provide relief for residents. We will help everyone.

'Everyone is also thinking of the families who have lost relatives. We will help them with funeral expenses.'

The storm also damaged houses in the area. Residents described the storm as 'resembling a battlefield' and 'the most severe storm to hit Nern Por in four decades.'

Kritsada Pattaraprasit, chief executive of the Phichit Provincial Administrative Organisation, has deployed backhoes and heavy machinery to dig up the wreckage of the stadium.

Phichit Governor Payon Asavapichayon is overseeing rescue efforts and has today declared the locality a disaster zone.

He said: 'Police and soldiers were dispatched to aid the affected families. We will continue to assess the damage that has occurred and find ways to help the victims of this storm.'

Thailand and neighbouring countries in Southeast Asia are approaching their annual monsoon rainy season which sees soaring temperatures followed by powerful rain storms in the afternoon leading to widespread flash floods.