In brief
The roof of a private school in Peshawar fell after classes began, killing 33 pupils and a teacher. Investigations point to temporary construction and overloaded roof slabs as causes, spurring the arrest of the owner and a provincial safety audit. Emergency workers faced access challenges in a narrow street, and victims’ bodies were recovered by local residents. The tragedy follows earlier building and fire incidents in Pakistan, underscoring the need for stronger regulations.
At least 33 pupils and a teacher were killed when the roof of a private school collapsed in Peshawar, Pakistan, on Thursday.
The incident happened at the Al‑Khair school in Dir Colony, after classes had begun at 08:48 local time. Emergency services reported that a roof on the upper floor gave way, causing ceilings below to cave in. The collapse caused a chain reaction that brought down three floors of the building.
Hospital officials said that 32 children and one teacher died at Lady Reading Hospital, while the other death was recorded at Naseerullah Khan Babar Memorial Hospital. In addition, over a dozen children were wounded, and several were feared trapped beneath the rubble.
Investigators, including police chief Mian Saeed, called the building a “gross negligence” case. The structure was described as temporary with sub‑standard roof slabs that were overloaded. The owner has been arrested and a safety audit of all schools in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been ordered by the provincial governor.
Local residents described the rescue scene as harrowing. One teacher, who rushed to the site, said he and other bystanders pulled out more than 20 children with shovels or bare hands, many of whom were already deceased. The narrow street that surrounds the school made it difficult for emergency vehicles to access the site.
Officials highlighted that Peshawar’s emergency response protocols need improvement, particularly in terms of building inspections and fire safety systems. The incident adds to a string of recent tragedies in Pakistan, including a 2024 roof collapse at a tuition centre that killed fourteen children and a neonatal unit fire that claimed fourteen newborns.
In the aftermath, the government has announced plans to strengthen building‑code enforcement and to ensure that all educational facilities are inspected and brought up to national safety standards.
