At least 29 killed, including 28 students, in Peshawar school roof collapse

At least 29 individuals were tragically killed when the roof of a private school in Peshawar’s Afridi Abad locality collapsed on Thursday, as reported by Lady Reading Hospital spokesperson Muhammad Asim to Dawn. Among the deceased were 28 students aged between seven and sixteen, along with one female teacher, while 19 others sustained injuries.

Peshawar Deputy Commissioner Afaq Wazir confirmed to Geo News that the rescue operation had been successfully completed, stating that all debris had been cleared, and no more injured children remained at the scene.

Following the incident, an emergency was declared at the hospital. Peshawar Deputy Commissioner's earlier statement to Dawn revealed that the Al-Khair School’s roof had collapsed, trapping students beneath the debris. According to a rescue official, the ceiling fell on the students after the roof of the higher floor gave way, causing both the first and second floors to crumble.

Peshawar Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Dr Mian Saeed Ahmed attributed the building’s weak structure to the roof collapse, stating that its roof was overloaded due to construction on an unstable foundation.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi expressed deep sorrow over the loss of innocent children and directed authorities to determine the cause of the collapse. He also ordered a structural safety audit of educational institutions across the province to identify potential risks and ensure the prompt implementation of corrective measures.

KP Inspector General Zulfiqar Hameed directed the Peshawar CCPO to oversee the rescue operation, while traffic police were instructed to establish a “green corridor” to ensure uninterrupted ambulance movement.

Residents and rescue workers gathered near an ambulance after the tragic event, with Samiullah, a parent, recounting his experience of rescuing three girls under the age of eight. He had initially feared that his son, who was in a ground-floor classroom, had also perished. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar conveyed condolences to the bereaved families, emphasizing that ensuring the safety and well-being of children remains of utmost importance.

President Asif Ali Zardari also conveyed profound shock and grief, urging a comprehensive investigation into the incident and urging all educational institutions to adhere to safety standards.