School roof collapse kills at least 34, injures more than 50 in Pakistan

PESHAWAR, Pakistan — A private school's roof collapsed in the northwestern city of Peshawar on Thursday, claiming the lives of at least 34 children and a teacher and leaving over 50 people injured, according to authorities and a hospital official. The victims at Al-Khair school ranged in age from 6 to 12 years, with the eldest being 14, reported Lady Reading Hospital spokesman Mohammad Asim. Some of the injured were in critical condition, prompting the hospital to declare an emergency to provide treatment for the wounded.

Rescue officials declared that all individuals trapped under the rubble had been extricated, and crews were now focused on clearing the debris. Mahwish Zaman, an injured teacher speaking from a hospital bed, recounted the harrowing experience of the three-story school housing approximately 1,200 students in nursery through fifth grade. She described feeling the classroom as if the sky had fallen when the roof gave way, later regaining consciousness.