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 at least 34 lives and injuring over 50 individuals in what authorities describe as the deadliest incident of its kind in the country's history. The victims, all schoolchildren aged between 6 and 12 years old, along with one teacher, were left either dead or injured after the tragic event at Al-Khair school.

Lady Reading Hospital spokesman Mohammad Asim confirmed the severity of the situation, stating that several of the injured were in critical condition. The hospital swiftly declared an emergency, with medical staff working tirelessly to treat the wounded. Within hours of the incident, rescue officials reported that everyone hidden beneath the rubble had been extracted, and crews had begun clearing the debris.

An injured teacher, Mahwish Zaman, recounted her harrowing experience during an interview from a hospital bed. She described how the three-story building, housing approximately 1,200 students from nursery to fifth grade, suddenly lost its roof, likening it to the sky falling. Zaman expressed relief upon regaining consciousness.