PESHAWAR: At least 34 children and a female teacher were killed when the roof of a private school collapsed in Peshawar on Thursday, while more than 30 injured people were taken to hospital, according to a spokesperson for Lady Reading Hospital (LRH).
Hospital spokesperson Muhammad Asim said an emergency had been declared at LRH, where medical teams were treating the injured. Some of those admitted were in critical condition, while all the children killed in the incident were aged 13 or younger.
Rescue operations continued at the site as emergency workers searched for people who might still be trapped beneath the debris.
Rescue Operations Underway
Rescue 1122 teams, ambulances and disaster response vehicles reached the site and began recovery efforts shortly after the collapse. Rescue personnel provided first aid to more than eight injured children before transferring them to hospital.
Pakistan Army personnel also joined other rescue and relief agencies to help recover trapped children and school staff and transport the injured to medical facilities.
Authorities feared the death toll could increase as rescue teams continued searching through the rubble for survivors.
Emergency Declared at Lady Reading Hospital
Lady Reading Hospital declared an emergency to manage the influx of casualties. Hospital officials said medical staff were present in the trauma ward and providing immediate treatment to the injured.
More than 30 injured people were shifted to hospital following the collapse. Medical teams continued assessing their conditions and providing treatment, with some patients reported to be critically injured.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Expresses Grief
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and extended his condolences to the bereaved families.
He prayed for those killed in the incident and asked for strength and patience for their families. The prime minister also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured and directed the relevant authorities to ensure the best possible medical treatment.
He further ordered officials to accelerate rescue operations and make every effort to recover those still believed to be trapped beneath the debris.
Roof Collapse at Government School in Jhelum Raises Safety Concerns
K-P Governor Seeks Report on Collapse
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi also expressed grief over the deaths, describing the loss of innocent children’s lives as an extremely painful tragedy.
He offered condolences to the affected families and prayed for the recovery of the injured children. The governor directed the relevant authorities to provide the best possible medical facilities to those receiving treatment.
Kundi also sought a detailed report on the incident and instructed the authorities to determine what caused the school roof to collapse.
Police Chief Directs Emergency Measures
K-P Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed took notice of the incident and directed the Capital City Police Officer to personally supervise rescue operations.
He ordered the immediate and safe recovery of people trapped beneath the rubble and instructed the Peshawar Chief Traffic Officer to establish a green corridor to allow ambulances to move without interruption.
The police chief also directed officials to keep routes leading to hospitals clear and instructed the SSP Operations and police rescue teams to use all available resources in the operation.
The K-P Police expressed solidarity with the affected families and prayed for the full and speedy recovery of the injured children and school staff.
Cause of Collapse Yet to Be Determined
Authorities have been directed to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collapse and establish its cause.
With rescue teams continuing to search the debris, officials remain concerned that more casualties may be discovered. The final toll and the circumstances that led to the tragedy are expected to become clearer as rescue and investigative efforts progress.
