Peshawar school collapse kills 30, injures dozens

At least 30 people, including 28 children and two female teachers, were killed when the roof of a private school collapsed in Peshawar’s Dir Colony on Thursday. More than 50 people were injured, while rescue teams continued searching for individuals feared trapped beneath the rubble.

The incident triggered an emergency at Lady Reading Hospital (LRH), where 28 bodies, including those of two female teachers, were received. Hospital spokesperson Muhammad Asim said senior officials were supervising the treatment of injured children, some of whom were reported to be in critical condition. He added that all the children affected by the tragedy were aged 13 or younger.

Naseerullah Babar Hospital also confirmed two deaths, according to Deputy Medical Superintendent Dr Ibrahim. Meanwhile, 33 children were discharged from the hospital after receiving initial medical treatment.

Rescue 1122 deployed ambulances and disaster response teams to the site immediately after receiving reports of the collapse. Rescue workers began removing debris and shifting injured children to nearby hospitals. Authorities warned that the death toll could rise as the search for survivors continued.

Pakistan Army personnel also reached the site and joined rescue agencies in efforts to recover children and school staff who might still be trapped beneath the debris. Emergency teams faced difficulties accessing the building because it was situated in a densely populated neighbourhood with narrow streets.

Capital City Police Officer Dr Mian Saeed said the school owner had been taken into custody and that legal proceedings would be initiated. He said approximately 110 children were enrolled at the school, while around 30 students had been present in classrooms on the upper floor when the roof collapsed.

According to the police official, the three-storey building had several structural deficiencies. He said the roof slab appeared to have been constructed using thin, flat clay tiles or specially shaped bricks, raising concerns about the building’s strength and safety.

Dr Saeed warned that the damaged structure could pose a further danger. Rescue teams were working to evacuate people from the area and prevent additional casualties. He also questioned whether the building had been overloaded and whether its roof could withstand the weight placed on it.

The authorities will investigate the construction of the building and examine whether relevant safety regulations were violated. The inquiry is expected to establish the cause of the collapse and determine responsibility for any negligence.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed profound grief over the deaths and extended condolences to the families of the victims. He prayed for the deceased and asked the bereaved families to remain strong during the difficult time.

The prime minister also directed the authorities to accelerate rescue operations and ensure that all injured people received the best possible medical care. He prayed for the early recovery of those receiving treatment in hospitals.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi described the deaths of the children as a deeply painful tragedy. He offered his sympathies to the affected families and prayed for the recovery of the injured.

The governor also sought a detailed report from the relevant authorities to determine the circumstances surrounding the collapse. He stressed the need to establish the cause of the incident and take appropriate action.

K-P Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed took notice of the incident and directed the Capital City Police Officer to personally supervise rescue efforts. He ordered the immediate and safe recovery of anyone trapped beneath the rubble.

The provincial police chief also instructed the Peshawar Chief Traffic Officer to establish a green corridor for ambulances. He directed police officials to keep roads leading to hospitals clear and ensure that rescue teams had access to all available resources.

Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also expressed shock and sorrow over the loss of lives. He extended his condolences to the parents who lost their children and called on the administration to speed up rescue efforts.

Bilawal further urged the authorities to ensure proper medical treatment for all injured victims admitted to Lady Reading Hospital and to make every possible effort to recover those still feared trapped beneath the debris.