29 children, female teacher die in Peshawar school roof collapse

A roof collapse at a three-storey private school in Peshawar’s Dir Colony killed 29 children and a female teacher, while dozens of others were injured, according to rescue officials.

The incident occurred in Dir Colony, where several children were injured after being trapped under the rubble.

Hospital officials said 28 bodies were taken to Lady Reading Hospital and two to Naseerullah Babar Memorial Hospital. Rescue officials said 25 injured children had been shifted to hospitals. The deceased children were aged between seven and 13 years.

Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Peshawar Mian Saeed said more than 40 people had been injured in the incident. He added that the school owner had been arrested.

Police said the school principal had also been taken into custody. An investigation is under way to determine when the school was established, while an FIR is being registered.

The district administration said an inquiry committee had been formed to determine the cause of the roof collapse. Rescue teams were clearing the rubble, and officials said all those trapped beneath it had been recovered.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi expressed grief over the incident and sought a report from the relevant authorities. He also directed officials to ensure the provision of the best possible medical treatment to the injured children.