School Roof Collapse Kills Dozens in Peshawar
Twenty-seven pupils and a teacher died in the Al-Khair school tragedy, prompting an investigation and safety audit.
Sarah Connor
A private school roof collapsed in Peshawar, Pakistan, killing twenty-seven pupils and a female teacher on Thursday.
More than three dozen sustained injuries in the collapse; six remain in critical condition. Over 40 people received treatment at Lady Reading Hospital.
Emergency rescuers work to free children trapped under the rubble. An unspecified rescue official fears several children remain trapped.
Authorities arrested the school's owner following the tragedy. An investigation into the incident has begun.
Peshawar police chief Saeed Ahmed claims the building was structurally weak. The school appeared housed in a makeshift building constructed on a temporary basis, according to Arif Khattak.
We cannot allow the safety of our children to be compromised.
Faisal Karim Kundi stated, "We cannot allow the safety of our children to be compromised." The governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ordered a safety audit of all schools in the province.
Building collapses are common in Pakistan. Poor construction standards and ignored safety regulations often cause these incidents. Peshawar police chief Mian Saeed claims the death toll could rise, as only 47 students had been rescued out of 110 who were in the three affected classrooms.