Pakistan school roof collapse kills 34

A private school in Pakistan experienced a catastrophic roof collapse, resulting in the deaths of at least 34 individuals, predominantly young children aged under 13. Mohammad Asim, a spokesperson for Peshawar’s Lady Reading Hospital, reported that 19 additional people sustained injuries in the incident.

The tragedy unfolded at the Al-Khair school within the Dir Colony district, triggering a comprehensive rescue operation as emergency responders and residents combed through the debris for possible survivors. Rescue operations were complicated by the school's location on a narrow street, limiting the number of vehicles that could pass simultaneously and complicating the evacuation of the injured.

In the aftermath of the collapse, police apprehended the school's owner as investigators probe the safety of the building and the events leading up to the collapse. The incident has left the entire nation in mourning, with Pakistan's President, Asif Ali Zardari, describing the loss as "devastating" in an official statement, stating that "this heart-wrenching tragedy has plunged the entire nation into shock."

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif pledged a "thorough investigation" into the incident, expressing deep sympathy for the affected families. In a social media post, the Prime Minister said, "My heart is with the families grieving the loss of their children and a teacher in the tragic roof collapse at a school in Peshawar. No parent should have to endure such pain."