PESHAWAR: At least 34 children and a female teacher died on Thursday after the roof of a private school collapsed in Peshawar’s Dir Colony, officials said. Most of the children were under 13.
A rescue official said the roof of an upper floor fell onto the first-floor roof, which then collapsed on students inside their classrooms.
Television footage showed ambulances rushing to the scene as rescue workers pulled injured and bloodied children from the rubble.
The administration of Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) initially reported four deaths but later confirmed that 33 bodies had been brought to the facility. Two more bodies were shifted to Naseerullah Khan Babar Memorial Hospital, officials said.
Six girls were among the victims, according to the LRH administration. The hospital also reported that 20 children had been injured. The body of a female teacher was brought to LRH following the incident.
Peshawar’s deputy commissioner said rescue teams had recovered everyone trapped beneath the debris.
School Owner Arrested as Investigation Begins
Resident Sher Ahmed blamed what he described as “substandard construction materials” for the tragedy and called for a thorough investigation.
“With profound grief and sorrow, I urge the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and take strict action against anyone found responsible so that such tragedies can be prevented in the future,” he said.
Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Dr Mian Saeed confirmed that police had arrested the school owner. He added that the institution was operating as an education trust.
Earlier, Saeed said more than 40 people had been injured in the collapse.
Provincial Education Secretary Inayatullah Waseem directed the managing director of the Private Schools Regulatory Authority to submit a report on the incident by the following day. He also offered condolences to the families of the children and teacher who died.
Officials Suspect Substandard Construction
SSP Operations said between 110 and 115 children were inside the school when the roof collapsed. The structure reportedly failed to bear the load, causing it to fall onto the classrooms below.
“The roof is weak, and no one is being allowed inside,” the officer said, describing the building’s condition and the circumstances surrounding the collapse.
According to SSP Operations, the roof had been constructed using T-iron beams and planks. The structure could not withstand the weight and gave way, trapping children beneath the debris.
A police investigation officer also alleged that substandard materials had been used in the building. The school owner was arrested as the investigation into the suspected construction deficiencies continued.
Leaders Express Grief, Call for Medical Assistance
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi expressed sorrow over the incident and sought a report from the relevant authorities. He also directed officials to ensure the best possible medical care for the injured children.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif offered condolences over the loss of lives and prayed for the victims. He also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured and instructed authorities to provide them with all possible medical assistance.
The prime minister further directed officials to speed up relief and rescue operations at the site.
National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said the deaths of innocent children had left him deeply saddened. He expressed solidarity with the bereaved families and prayed for the recovery of those injured.
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari also expressed grief and urged the administration to accelerate rescue efforts. He called on officials to recover anyone still trapped beneath the debris and ensure effective treatment for the injured at LRH.
Samar Haroon Bilour, the KP governor’s adviser on Information and Public Relations, also expressed sorrow over the tragedy. She called for the provision of the best possible medical facilities to the injured children.
