At least 33 killed, including 32 students, in Peshawar school roof collapse

On Thursday, a tragic school roof collapse in Peshawar's Afridi Abad locality claimed the lives of 33 people, including 32 students aged between seven and 14 and a female teacher. Lady Reading Hospital spokesperson Muhammad Asim reported that the death toll had risen to 33, revising an earlier figure of 28. Twenty injured children were brought to the hospital, with most already discharged; three suffered severe head injuries.

Peshawar Deputy Commissioner Afaq Wazir confirmed that the rescue operation had concluded, with no more injured children remaining at the scene. Emergency was declared at the hospital following the incident. Peshawar Capital City Police Officer Dr Mian Saeed Ahmed stated that the building's structure was weak, with its roof overloaded due to additional construction on a weakened foundation.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi expressed grief over the deaths and directed authorities to determine the cause of the collapse. KP Inspector General Zulfiqar Hameed ordered Peshawar CCPO to oversee the rescue operation and establish a green corridor for uninterrupted ambulance movement. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari offered their condolences to the bereaved families, emphasizing the need for comprehensive investigations and immediate assistance for the injured and affected families.