A tragic accident struck Pakistan on Thursday when the roof of a private school building collapsed in Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. A total of 29 people, including 28 children and a woman teacher, were killed, while more than 40 other students were seriously injured.
City police chief Mian Saeed said the incident took place in the Dir Colony area of Peshawar. The school owner has already been arrested in connection with the accident. Rescue teams reached the spot soon after being alerted and began efforts to pull out those trapped under the debris.
Lady Reading Hospital spokesperson Mohammad Asim confirmed that the dead included 28 students, among them six girls, and a woman teacher. He said all of the children were under 13 years of age, and that an emergency had been declared at the hospital to provide better treatment to the injured.
Peshawar Deputy Commissioner Afaq Wazir ordered a high-level inquiry into the building collapse. Rescue operations are still continuing, amid suspicion that some more people may be trapped under the rubble.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep shock over the incident, conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and directed officials to ensure better treatment for the injured. Provincial Governor Faisal Karim Kundi also expressed deep grief over the tragedy.