Peshawar, October 15,2026: At least 34 schoolchildren and a teacher were killed and 45 others injured when the roof of a privately run school collapsed during morning classes in Peshawar on Thursday, triggering widespread grief and calls for accountability.
Rescue workers spent four to five hours pulling children from the rubble of the school, located in a residential area, as distressed parents and relatives gathered outside the building in search of their loved ones.
Most of the children killed were under 13 years of age, according to rescue officials. Among the victims were 12 girls, while the body of a female teacher was also recovered, the administration of Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) said.
The hospital initially reported four deaths but later confirmed that 33 bodies had been brought there. Two additional bodies were shifted to Naseerullah Khan Babar Memorial Hospital.
Rescue Department Regional Director Arif Khattak said the incident occurred at around 8:48am, adding that at least 45 people sustained major and minor injuries.
A rescue official said a roof on an upper floor collapsed onto students in classrooms below, causing two storeys of the building to crumble. Peshawar Deputy Commissioner said all those trapped beneath the debris had been rescued.
Questions raised over construction quality
Police and local residents raised concerns over the quality of construction materials used in the school building, while relatives of the victims demanded a thorough investigation and strict action against those responsible.
SSP Operations said between 110 and 115 children were inside the building when the roof collapsed. He said T-iron beams and planks had been used in the roof’s construction and that the structure had failed to bear the weight.
A police investigation officer said substandard construction materials had allegedly been used in the building. Police arrested the school owner in connection with the incident, according to the report.
Resident Sher Ahmed called for a comprehensive investigation, saying those found responsible should face strict action to prevent similar tragedies.
Mohammad Zaman, who lost two nephews in the collapse, demanded accountability and urged authorities to ensure that schools provided safe facilities for children.
School owner Khan Muhammad attributed the incident to several days of rainfall, saying the building had been constructed around one and a half years ago. He said he had visited the affected classroom earlier that morning and began evacuating children after the collapse.
According to the owner, around 30 children were present in the affected classroom, while approximately 350 students were enrolled at the school.
Political leadership expresses grief
Condolences poured in from political leaders and government officials following the tragedy.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi expressed sorrow over the loss of lives and sought a report from the relevant authorities. He also directed officials to ensure the provision of the best possible medical facilities to the injured children.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep grief over the deaths and prayed for the elevation of the ranks of the deceased children and other victims. He also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured and directed authorities to provide them with all possible medical assistance.
The prime minister further instructed the relevant departments to expedite rescue and relief operations at the site.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said the school roof collapse had deeply pained the entire nation.
National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq expressed profound sadness over the loss of innocent lives and conveyed solidarity with the bereaved families, while praying for the recovery of those injured.
Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari also expressed grief over the tragedy and urged the administration to accelerate rescue efforts, retrieve anyone trapped beneath the debris and ensure effective medical treatment for the injured at Lady Reading Hospital.
KP Governor’s Adviser on Information and Public Relations Samar Haroon Bilour expressed sorrow over the incident and directed authorities to provide the best possible medical care to the injured children.
The tragedy has renewed calls for a thorough investigation into the building’s structural safety and the enforcement of construction standards to prevent similar incidents in educational institutions.
