By Our Correspondent
PESHAWAR:At least 33 people, including 32 students and a female teacher, were killed when the roof of a school collapsed in Peshawar on Thursday, prompting an investigation and calls for stronger safety measures in educational institutions.
Read More: Animal welfare center, school inaugurated for equine owners’ families in Lahore
The incident occurred at Al-Khair School in the Afridi Abad area, where students were attending classes when the structure gave way, trapping children beneath the debris.
Lady Reading Hospital spokesperson Muhammad Asim confirmed that the death toll had reached 33. The students who died were aged between seven and 14, according to the hospital.
Twenty injured children were also taken to the hospital. Most were later discharged, while three children with serious head injuries remained under treatment.
Peshawar Deputy Commissioner Afaq Wazir said the rescue operation had been completed after teams cleared the debris and confirmed that no further injured children remained at the site.
An emergency was declared at the hospital following the incident.
Building structure under investigation
Police and rescue officials said the school building had a weak structure. Investigators are examining the circumstances that led to the collapse.
A parent who reached the school after receiving news of the incident told reporters that he helped rescue three young girls from the site.
The incident has raised fresh concerns about building safety and the condition of educational facilities.
Authorities order inquiry and safety checks
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi expressed grief over the deaths and requested a detailed report to establish the cause of the collapse.
He also ordered a structural safety audit of educational institutions across the province to identify potential hazards and ensure that corrective measures are taken where necessary.
The Elementary and Secondary Education Department formed a fact-finding committee to investigate the incident. The committee was tasked with determining the causes of the collapse, identifying contributing factors and recommending measures to prevent similar incidents.
Meanwhile, provincial police chief Zulfiqar Hameed directed the Peshawar capital city police officer to oversee rescue arrangements. Traffic police were also instructed to establish a clear route for ambulances to ensure uninterrupted access to medical facilities.
National leaders express grief
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took notice of the incident, according to Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, who expressed condolences to the bereaved families and stressed the importance of protecting children.
President Asif Ali Zardari also expressed sorrow and called for a comprehensive investigation into the collapse. He directed the relevant authorities to provide medical care to the injured and assistance to affected families.
The prime minister separately conveyed his condolences and instructed officials to expedite relief efforts and ensure the injured received medical assistance.
Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and MNA Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari also expressed grief over the deaths and called for support for the affected families. Aseefa emphasised that schools must provide a safe environment for children and said those responsible for ensuring safety should be held accountable.
Repeated incidents raise safety concerns
The Peshawar tragedy follows several fatal building and roof collapses reported in Pakistan in recent months.
In June, 14 children were killed when the roof of a private tuition centre collapsed in Lahore’s Kahna area. Another classroom roof collapse in Dera Ghazi Khan also claimed the lives of children earlier this year.
Other incidents involving school buildings and residential structures have been reported in different parts of the country, raising questions about construction quality, maintenance and enforcement of safety standards.
The investigation into the Peshawar collapse is expected to establish the circumstances behind the incident and identify any failures that may have contributed to the loss of lives.
