PESHAWAR: Police have arrested the owner of a private school in Peshawar’s Dir Colony after a roof collapse killed at least 30 children and two female teachers. Several other victims remain in critical condition.
The collapse triggered a major rescue operation at the school. However, rescue teams are facing difficulties because of the building’s weakened structure and the narrow streets around the site.
Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Peshawar confirmed the school owner’s arrest. He said the institution had been operating under the name of an educational trust.
According to the CCPO, poor construction of the school building contributed to the tragedy.
Rescue Teams Face Difficulties at Site
A Rescue service spokesperson said teams were not using heavy machinery because the building remained structurally unstable.
The narrow streets surrounding the school have also made it difficult to bring heavy equipment close to the damaged structure. Rescue teams continue working under challenging conditions as they respond to the incident.
Prime Minister, KP Governor Express Grief
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow over the roof collapse and offered condolences to the families of those killed, including the children.
He prayed for the elevation of the victims’ ranks and asked Allah to grant patience and strength to their bereaved families.
The prime minister also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured. He directed the relevant authorities to ensure they received the best possible medical treatment and instructed officials to accelerate rescue and relief operations at the site.
Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi expressed grief over the deaths and sought a detailed report on the incident. He also directed the authorities to determine the cause of the collapse.
“The loss of precious lives of innocent children is an extremely painful tragedy,” Kundi said in a statement, while extending his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.
