Web Desk: At least 22 people, including 21 children and a female teacher, were killed after the roof of a private school collapsed in Peshawar on Wednesday, authorities said, as rescue teams continued searching the debris for possible survivors.
The collapse occurred at a private school in the Dir Colony area along College Road, trapping students and school staff beneath the rubble.
Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) officials said 22 bodies had been brought to the facility. The children who died were aged 13 or younger, hospital spokesman Muhammad Asim said.
More than 40 people were injured in the incident, Peshawar Capital City Police Officer Mian Saeed told reporters.
At least 25 seriously injured children were taken to LRH, where emergency measures were activated to treat the victims. Hospital officials said several of the injured remained in critical condition.
Meanwhile, authorities remained at the hospital’s trauma centre as medical teams provided emergency treatment to the injured.
Rescue 1122 disaster-response teams reached the site soon after the collapse and began removing the debris.
Officials said heavy machinery was being used to clear the collapsed structure while rescuers searched for anyone who might still be trapped underneath.
The operation was continuing amid concerns that additional students or school staff could remain buried in the rubble.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Adviser Samar Haroon Bilour expressed condolences to the families of those killed and directed the relevant authorities and Rescue 1122 teams to use all available resources to speed up the operation.
She also called for the injured to receive the best possible medical care.
The incident has also prompted questions about the condition and safety of buildings housing private educational institutions. Authorities are expected to assess the structure and determine the circumstances that led to the collapse.
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