Pakistan school roof collapse kills 29 in Peshawar; over 40 injured, owner arrested

Peshawar: At least 28 children and a teacher were killed and more than 40 people injured after the roof of a private school collapsed in Peshawar, the capital of Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, on Thursday, police said. Several children and school staff are feared trapped beneath the debris.

The incident occurred in Dir Colony in the inner-city area of Peshawar. Rescue teams rushed to the site and launched an operation to clear the rubble and search for those who may still be trapped.

According to Lady Reading Hospital spokesperson Muhammad Asim, 28 students, including six girls, and a female teacher were killed in the collapse. All the children killed were aged 13 or younger, he said.

More than 40 people were also injured and taken to medical facilities for treatment. Some of the injured were reported to be in critical condition.

School owner arrested

Peshawar Capital City Police chief Mian Saeed said the owner of the school had been arrested following the incident.

Peshawar Deputy Commissioner Afaq Wazir has also ordered a probe into the building collapse. The cause of the roof collapse has not yet been established.

Emergency declared at hospital

Lady Reading Hospital declared an emergency to treat those injured in the collapse, spokesperson Muhammad Asim said.

Medical teams were mobilised as rescue workers continued clearing the debris and searching for students and school staff who could still be trapped beneath the collapsed structure.

The casualty figure could rise as the search and rescue operation continues.

Shehbaz Sharif expresses grief

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep grief over the loss of lives and extended his condolences to the bereaved families.

He also prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured and directed the authorities concerned to ensure that they received the best possible medical treatment.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi also expressed grief over the school roof collapse.

Rescue operations were continuing at the site.