Tragic School Roof Collapse in Pakistan Kills 28 Children

The roof of a private school collapsed in Peshawar, Pakistan, on Thursday, resulting in the death of at least 28 children and a female teacher. Over 50 people sustained injuries, with several in critical condition, according to hospital spokesman Mohammad Asim. Emergency services spokesman Bilal Faizi confirmed that six girls were among those killed and that many children were trapped under the debris.

The hospital declared an emergency as medical staff worked urgently to treat the wounded. After hours of intensive rescue efforts, officials confirmed that all individuals trapped beneath the rubble had been rescued. The site was cleared of debris, as teams worked to ensure no one was left behind.

In response to the tragedy, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi demanded an investigation into the cause of the collapse and instructed authorities to ensure that the injured receive the best possible medical care.

Mahwish Zaman, an injured teacher, recounted the collapse. Speaking from her hospital bed, she described the three-story school, which had about 1,200 students from nursery to fifth grade. She recalled being in her classroom when the roof gave way and compared the experience to the sky falling.

Witnesses reported that local residents were first on the scene in the busy neighborhood of central Peshawar. Samiullah Khan detailed his efforts to rescue three girls, crediting his son’s survival to his absence from the classroom during the collapse.

Police Chief Saeed Ahmed confirmed the arrest of the school’s owner, citing structural weaknesses in the building. A committee has been formed to investigate the cause of the incident.

Provincial government spokeswoman Samar Haroon Bilour praised rescue workers for their quick response. She emphasized the commitment of resources to ensure those trapped were reached quickly and commended the efforts of those involved in the rescue operation.

National leaders, including President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, issued statements expressing condolences to the affected families. Zardari called for a thorough investigation to ensure similar tragedies are avoided through strict adherence to safety standards in school buildings.

The incident follows a previous collapse in July at a tutoring center in Lahore, which killed four children. Such incidents highlight the prevalent issue of poor construction standards in Pakistan, where safety regulations are often bypassed to cut costs.