At Least 34 Children and a Teacher Killed in School Roof Collapse in Peshawar

At least 34 schoolchildren and a female teacher were killed on Thursday when the roof of a school collapsed during morning classes in Peshawar, northwestern Pakistan, according to police and rescue officials.

Rescue workers spent several hours searching through the rubble of the privately run Al-Khair Education Center as parents and relatives gathered at the site. Most of the victims were reportedly under 13 years of age and belonged to low-income families.

Arif Khattak, regional director of the Rescue Department, said at least 45 children were injured, with injuries ranging from minor wounds to severe trauma.

Police Investigate Building Collapse

According to rescue officials, the roof of an upper floor collapsed onto classrooms below, causing parts of the two-storey building to give way.

Mohammad Asim, a spokesperson for Lady Reading Hospital, said the fatalities included 12 female students and a female teacher. Three children were reportedly in critical condition with head injuries, while several other injured students had been treated and discharged.

The incident reportedly occurred at 8:48 a.m. local time, and the rescue operation continued for approximately four to five hours, Khattak said.

Peshawar police chief Mian Saeed attributed the collapse to structural weakness and additional construction on the roof. Police said the school owner had been arrested and an investigation was underway to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Officials said approximately 110 students were attending classes in three classrooms when the roof collapsed.

Families Demand Accountability

Relatives of the victims called for accountability and alleged that concerns about the building's condition had not been adequately addressed.

Mohammad Zaman, who lost two nephews in the incident, called for action against those responsible, saying schools must provide safe facilities for students.

The tragedy has renewed concerns about the safety of educational facilities operating in poorly maintained buildings. Low-cost private schools serve many families in Pakistan, but inadequate infrastructure and safety oversight can pose risks to students.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed sorrow over the incident and offered condolences to the victims' families, according to his office.

Jawad Ahmad, whose son and daughter attended the school and survived the collapse, described the incident as devastating.

The cause of the collapse and any potential responsibility for safety violations remain subject to the ongoing investigation.