At least 27 children and a teacher killed after school roof collapses in Pakistan

A private school in Peshawar, Pakistan, suffered a catastrophic collapse during morning classes on Thursday morning, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least 27 students and one teacher. The disaster was triggered by heavy rain which destabilized the structure, causing the roof of a higher floor to cave in and crush classrooms below.

The victims, most of whom were under 13 years old, were trapped under concrete and brick debris. Emergency responders and local residents worked tirelessly to clear the rubble and reach those still buried. At least 45 children were initially rescued, while 19 remained hospitalized with injuries, five of them in critical condition.

The school, known as Al-Khair Education Center, was operating under a private trust. The Capital City Police Officer confirmed that the school's owner has been arrested and authorities have initiated a formal investigation into the incident. This tragic event underscores the urgent need for stringent safety regulations and inspections across Pakistan's educational facilities to prevent such preventable disasters in the future.