PESHAWAR: A private school roof gave way in the city’s Dir Colony on Thursday, killing 28 children and a female teacher, according to officials. The Peshawar school roof collapse has also left dozens of people injured, and rescue teams are still working through the debris.
Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) first confirmed four deaths. Its administration later revised the figure after the bodies of 28 children were brought in. The body of a female teacher was received at the hospital as well, and 20 children were being treated for injuries.
Injury Toll Rises, School Owner Arrested
Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Dr Mian Saeed put the number of injured at more than 40 across the provincial capital. He said police had arrested the owner of the private school after the incident.
Rescue officials said several children had been trapped under the rubble in the first hours after the collapse. Teams continued to comb through the wreckage in search of students and staff.
Education Department Orders Report
Provincial Education Secretary Inayatullah Waseem directed the managing director of the Private Schools Regulatory Authority to submit a report on the incident by Friday. He also offered condolences to the families of the children and teachers who lost their lives.
Political Leaders React to the Dir Colony School Collapse
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi voiced sorrow over the tragedy and asked the relevant authorities for a report. He ordered that injured children be given the best medical care available.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he was deeply grieved by the deaths and prayed for those killed, including the children. He also wished the injured a quick recovery and told officials to ensure they received every possible medical facility. The prime minister further instructed the authorities to speed up relief and rescue work at the site.
National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said the death of innocent children had left him deeply saddened. He stood with the bereaved families and prayed for the injured to recover soon.
Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari also expressed grief and urged the administration to step up rescue efforts. He called on officials to pull out anyone still trapped under the debris at once and to make effective arrangements for treating the wounded brought to LRH.
Samar Haroon Bilour, the governor’s adviser on Information and Public Relations, likewise expressed sorrow over the collapse. She directed that the injured children receive the best possible medical treatment.
