A school roof collapsed in northwestern Pakistan on Thursday, leaving at least 29 people dead, according to hospital officials. The disaster struck the Al-Khair Education Centre, a private institution located in Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Mohammad Asim, a hospital spokesman, confirmed the death toll and stated that 28 of the victims were students alongside one teacher. He added that more than 20 other people sustained injuries in the incident, with several in critical condition.
All the children killed or injured in the disaster were age 13 or younger. Lady Reading Hospital declared an emergency to manage the influx of casualties as medical staff treat the wounded.
Rescue operations faced severe difficulties because the school sits within a congested area. Heavy machinery required for clearing large rubble was unable to reach the site.
Locals and rescue teams resorted to using buckets and utensils to remove the debris and search for anyone still buried underneath. The private facility has approximately 350 registered students enrolled.
Authorities warned that the death rate could climb further as dozens of wounded students remain hospitalised in serious condition. An official investigation has been ordered to determine the cause of the collapse.
Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar expressed grief over the incident in a statement on social media. Our children are our most precious asset, and every such loss is a tragedy for the entire country, he wrote.
His heartfelt condolences and prayers went out to the bereaved families. The government and the prime minister have taken serious note of the situation, he added, stressing that ensuring the safety and protection of children must remain paramount.
