20 Children Killed as Private School Roof Collapses in Peshawar, Pakistan; Over 30 Injured

The roof of a private school has collapsed in Peshawar, Pakistan. According to media reports, 20 children and a woman teacher were killed. The death toll may rise. More than 30 people are reported injured.

Panic in the area

Panic spread in the area after the incident. Relief and rescue teams reached the spot on being informed. They began a rescue operation to pull out people buried under the debris.

The injured have been taken to hospital, where they are being treated. Some of them are said to be in a serious condition. All the children who died were aged 13 or below.

Emergency declared at hospital

Lady Reading Hospital spokesperson Muhammad Asim confirmed the deaths. He said an emergency had been declared at the hospital.

He said the injured were undergoing medical treatment, and some of them were in a serious condition. He added that all the children were aged 13 or below.

Rescue operation continues

According to the latest information and media reports, ambulances and rescue teams reached the spot on receiving news of the incident. A rescue operation was then started to pull out the children and others buried under the debris. An ambulance team of Rescue 1122 gave first aid to the injured children before taking them to hospital.

The Express Tribune reported that the search for people still trapped under the debris is continuing at the site. It is feared that the number of dead could rise. The injured are being treated in hospital, and some are said to be in a serious condition.

This is not the first time buildings and roofs have collapsed in Pakistan. Weak safety arrangements and the use of poor construction material are considered a major reason behind such accidents. In August, the roof of a house in Islamabad collapsed after three days of continuous heavy rain. A couple were killed, while their daughters were injured.

In June, the roof of a private tuition centre collapsed in Lahore's Kahna area, killing 14 children. Earlier, the roof of a classroom at a private school collapsed in Dera Ghazi Khan in Punjab province. Four children were killed and 20 people were injured. Also in June, the roof of a building under construction collapsed in Khawaspur area of Gujrat district in Pakistan. One labourer was killed and three others were injured.