Pakistan school roof collapses in Peshawar killing at least 33 pupils and a teacher

At least 33 pupils and a teacher were killed when the roof of a private school collapsed during class in the north-western Pakistani city of Peshawar on Thursday, with more than a dozen others injured, some critically, hospital officials confirmed.

How the collapse unfolded

Emergency services were called to the Al-Khair school in Dir Colony at 08:48 local time (03:48 GMT) after the roof of an upper-floor classroom gave way. The falling structure brought down ceilings on lower floors, trapping children under rubble. Police chief Mian Saeed confirmed classrooms on three floors were affected. There were approximately 30 pupils on the top floor, 40 in the middle and 45 on the ground floor when the collapse occurred.

An English teacher from a nearby school said he rushed to the scene and pulled six children from the rubble with his own hands. Most were alive when extracted, but later died of their injuries. Another resident described trying to free children using shovels. Rescue teams worked well into Thursday afternoon amid fears more victims remained buried.

Investigation and accountability

Police chief Saeed announced the arrest of the school's owner and pledged a thorough inquiry into whether building codes had been violated. Emergency official Arif Khattak noted the school building had been constructed on a temporary basis, raising questions about its structural integrity. Post-mortems were to be conducted as families gathered outside hospitals in Peshawar waiting for news of missing children.