In Peshawar, Pakistan, a devastating incident occurred when the roof of a private school collapsed, resulting in the deaths of at least 28 children and a female teacher. Over 50 others were injured, and rescuers rushed to the scene to save those trapped under the debris.
The tragic event unfolded in the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Emergency services spokesperson Bilal Faizi and hospital spokesman Mohammad Asim confirmed the casualty figures. All deceased and injured were reported to be 13 years of age or younger. The hospital declared an emergency in response, ensuring immediate medical care was provided to those wounded.
As rescue operations concluded hours later, officials confirmed that all individuals had been retrieved from the rubble. Crews continued to clear the site. The cause of the collapse remains under investigation.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi expressed his sorrow over the incident. He requested a full report on the cause and instructed authorities to offer the best medical treatment to the injured.
An injured teacher, Mahwish Zaman, recounted the experience from her hospital bed. She described feeling as if the sky had fallen during the collapse. The school held around 1,200 students aged from nursery to fifth grade.
Nearby residents were the first responders, assisting before official rescue workers arrived. Samiullah Khan, a resident, helped rescue three girls and shared that his son narrowly escaped harm. Other locals, like Mohammad Khan, also contributed to safely remove debris and reach those beneath.
Anguished parents gathered outside both the school and Lady Reading Hospital, desperate for news about their children. Police chief Saeed Ahmed disclosed that the school’s owner faced arrest due to the building’s structural weaknesses.
A committee was established by the provincial government to investigate the collapse. Provincial spokeswoman Samar Haroon Bilour commended rescue efforts and emphasized the utilization of all resources to ensure safety.
National leaders, including President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, extended condolences to affected families. President Zardari stressed the significance of adhering to safety standards in school buildings to avert future disasters.
Past incidents highlight ongoing issues with building safety in Pakistan, like a roof collapse in Lahore last July that claimed four young lives. Construction standards frequently fall short, with cost-cutting leading to the use of inferior materials and disregard for regulations.