Pakistan Orders Nationwide School Inspections After Deadly Roof Collapse Claims 35 Lives

Following a tragic incident where a classroom roof collapsed, killing at least 34 children and one teacher, authorities in Pakistan have mandated inspections of regional schools. Reports on Friday indicated that the government has instructed the administration of the northeastern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to commence these checks after the fatal event at Al-Khair school on Thursday. The victims were students aged 13 or younger, along with a teacher. There are conflicting reports regarding whether these inspections will encompass both public and private schools or be limited to private institutions. According to The Associated Press news agency, the province’s education department has been given a three-day deadline to submit its findings. Schools will be categorized as safe, requiring repairs or improvements, or potentially unsafe. Assessments will cover various structural elements, including roofs, ceilings, walls, and staircases.

Mohammad Khan, the owner of Al-Khair school, was arrested shortly after the mud and brick roof gave way. Peshawar Police Chief Saeed Ahmed stated that the building was structurally weak and that Khan had informed officers that recent rainfall had compromised its integrity. Bereaved families are seeking justice, with some relatives of the victims asserting they had repeatedly warned Khan about rainwater seeping into classrooms. Dozens of mourners gathered outside the school on Friday to commemorate those who perished.

Pakistan's construction standards are widely acknowledged to be poor, with builders frequently employing substandard materials. This incident follows a similar tragedy in June, where the roof of a private tutoring center in the eastern city of Lahore collapsed, resulting in 14 fatalities.