32 Children Killed After School Roof Collapses in Pakistan

At least 34 children and a teacher were killed when the roof of a school collapsed in Peshawar, Pakistan, on Thursday during morning classes. The incident occurred at the Al Khair Education Center, a three-story private institution located in a poor district of the city. According to police chief Saeed Ahmed, the roof from a higher floor collapsed, bringing two stories of the building down and crushing students and the teacher beneath. Rescue workers spent four to five hours recovering bodies from the debris. At least 45 others were injured, with three children in critical condition. Local officials described the building as dilapidated and said its roof had been overloaded with construction on a weak structure, leading to the collapse. Peshawar police chief Saeed Ahmed stated that the school’s owner, Mohammad Khan, had been arrested. Khan claimed that heavy rains weakened the roof, but authorities are investigating whether building code violations contributed to the disaster. Eyewitness accounts described scenes of chaos as rescuers worked to pull victims from the rubble. A teacher from another school who reached the site said he personally retrieved six children with his hands, though they later died. Survivors and relatives of the victims accused the school of neglecting maintenance issues and prioritizing profit over safety. The Al Khair Education Center served around 1,200 students, with approximately 110 present in three classrooms during the collapse. Most of the students were aged 13 or younger, with some as young as six. The tragedy follows a series of similar incidents in Pakistan. In July, a roof collapse at a tutoring center in Lahore killed 14 children. Earlier that year, a fire at a hospital in Islamabad resulted in the deaths of 14 newborns and prompted calls for improved safety protocols. Poor enforcement of construction standards and inadequate oversight of private educational institutions have long been cited as contributing factors to such disasters. Peshawar resident Mohammad Zaman, whose two nephews perished in the collapse, called for strict action against those responsible. “Make an example of them, a lesson for all, so that no one dares open a school just to make money without providing facilities,” he said. Similar sentiments were echoed by others at the scene, demanding accountability and better regulation of school infrastructure. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi ordered a safety audit of all schools in the region to identify potential risks and implement corrective measures. Police chief Ahmed pledged a thorough investigation into possible violations of building codes. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life, extending condolences to the affected families. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about unsafe conditions in private schools, particularly those serving lower-income communities. With limited government investment in public education and minimal oversight of private academies, such tragedies continue to occur despite repeated warnings from officials and activists. Rescue operations continued throughout the day, with efforts focused on retrieving remaining survivors from the wreckage.