PESHAWAR: At least 29 children and one female teacher were killed after the roof of a three-storey private school collapsed in Peshawar’s Dir Colony, while dozens of other children sustained injuries.
According to rescue officials, several children were trapped beneath the rubble following the collapse. The injured were shifted to nearby hospitals for medical treatment.
Hospital authorities reported that 28 bodies were brought to Lady Reading Hospital and two to Naseerullah Babar Memorial Hospital. Rescue officials said 25 injured children had been transferred to hospitals, adding that the children who died were between seven and 13 years old.
Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Peshawar Mian Saeed said the number of injured had exceeded 40. He confirmed that the school’s owner had been arrested, while police also took the principal into custody.
Police said an investigation was underway to determine when the school was established and to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident. A first information report (FIR) was also being registered.
The district administration formed an inquiry committee to investigate the cause of the roof collapse. Rescue officials said debris was being removed and all those trapped beneath the rubble had been recovered.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi expressed grief over the tragedy and sought a report from the relevant authorities. He also directed officials to ensure the provision of the best possible medical facilities to the injured children.
The investigation is expected to establish the circumstances that led to the deadly collapse.