Tragedy in Peshawar: School Roof Collapse Claims at Least 29 Lives, Including Young Students

A devastating roof collapse at the Al-Khair Education Centre, a private school in Peshawar, Pakistan, has resulted in the tragic deaths of at least 28 students and one teacher, with over 20 others injured. The incident occurred on Thursday in Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Mohammad Asim, a hospital spokesman, confirmed the grim toll, stating that some of the injured are in critical condition. All the children who perished or were wounded were 13 years old or younger.

Lady Reading Hospital has declared a state of emergency to manage the influx of wounded students. Reporting from Islamabad, Al Jazeera’s Kamal Hyder noted that rescue operations have been severely hampered by the school's location in a congested area. Heavy machinery, crucial for debris removal, could not access the site, forcing locals and rescue teams to use buckets and utensils in their desperate search for survivors buried under the rubble. The Al-Khair Education Centre reportedly has around 350 registered students.

Authorities anticipate that the casualty count may rise, with dozens of injured students currently receiving treatment in hospitals, some in serious condition. An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the collapse. Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar expressed his condolences, stating on X, "Our children are our most precious asset, and every such loss is a tragedy for the entire country. My heartfelt condolences and prayers are with the bereaved families." He added that the prime minister and the government are taking the situation seriously, emphasizing that ensuring the safety and protection of children must be paramount.