Roof collapse at Peshawar private school kills at least 28 children and a teacher

Tragedy in Peshawar On Thursday morning, the roof of a private school in Peshawar’s southwest Dir district gave way, crushing a classroom below. The Al‑Khair Education Centre, which operated out of a two‑storey residential building, was holding its first‑period lessons when the collapse occurred. Emergency services arrived to find one roof having fallen onto another, trapping children inside the lower level.

Casualties and injuries Local hospital officials at Lady Reading Hospital confirmed that 27 pupils and a female teacher lost their lives in the incident. The exact death toll varies across reports, with some outlets citing a total of 28 fatalities and others indicating 29 people killed. Injuries were also substantial; one source reported more than 30 people hurt, another mentioned 19 injured, and a further report noted over 50 individuals receiving medical care. Among the injured, several were described as being in critical condition. The children affected were reported to be between six and twelve years old.

Rescue response Rescue 1122, the provincial emergency service, deployed more than 60 personnel, 16 ambulances and two disaster‑response vehicles to the scene. District emergency officer Iftikhar Khan said at least 45 children were rescued from the rubble. The narrow street surrounding the school hampered the speed at which rescue teams could reach the site, according to eyewitnesses.

Witness accounts and possible causes Residents near the school described the building as overcrowded and unsuitable for educational use. One neighbour, Sher Ahmed, blamed substandard construction materials and called for a thorough investigation. A witness who spoke to CBS News noted that the structure appeared “not suitable” for a school, while another local resident highlighted the building’s narrow location and the difficulty it posed for emergency responders.

Official statements and next steps Hospital spokesperson Mohammad Asim confirmed the death toll and the severity of injuries, noting that many of the children sustained head injuries. Authorities have not released an official cause for the collapse, but the remarks from local residents suggest concerns over construction quality and building suitability. Police and disaster‑management officials are expected to conduct an inquiry to determine responsibility and to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Community impact The tragedy has left families in profound grief, with parents gathering at the hospital and local police called in to manage crowds. The incident underscores broader challenges faced by low‑income communities that rely on makeshift educational facilities, raising questions about regulatory oversight and safety standards for private schools in the region.

The situation remains fluid as rescue operations continue and investigations commence, with health officials monitoring the condition of the injured and authorities working to identify the root causes of the collapse.