Peshawar School Roof Collapse: Children Among at Least 30 Reported Dead

However, the spokesperson for Lady Reading Hospital Medical Teaching Institution (MTI), Muhammad Asim, confirmed that 17 children and a female teacher had been brought to the hospital dead following the incident.

More than 45 injured children and teachers were also shifted to the hospital, the spokesperson said, adding that an emergency had been declared. Hospital officials were present in the trauma unit to supervise the treatment of the injured.

The spokesperson said the injured were receiving immediate medical attention, while some remained in critical condition. All the children affected by the incident were aged 13 or younger.

According to rescue officials, the victims included pupils and staff members of the Al-Khair School System. Rescue teams rushed to the site and launched an operation to remove the rubble, evacuate the injured and search for anyone who might still be trapped.

Pakistan Army personnel joined Rescue 1122 teams and other emergency departments in the operation. Rescue workers and soldiers were clearing the debris to reach possible survivors as concerns grew over the number of children who could still be beneath the collapsed structure.

Governor Seeks Report as Education Officials Take Notice

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi expressed grief over the loss of lives and sought a report on the incident. He also prayed for the swift recovery of the injured children.

Provincial Secretary of Elementary and Secondary Education Inayatullah Wasim took notice of the tragedy and directed Private Schools Regulatory Authority (PSRA) Managing Director Javed Iqbal to submit a report by the following day.

The secretary also instructed the authority to take action against private educational institutions operating from buildings that fail to meet the required safety standards.

President, PM and Political Leaders Express Grief

President Asif Ali Zardari expressed profound sorrow over the deaths and injuries of schoolchildren and teachers, saying the tragedy had plunged the nation into mourning.

He directed the relevant authorities to ensure the best possible medical care for the injured and provide all necessary assistance to the affected families.

The president also called for a comprehensive investigation to determine the cause of the collapse, stressing that educational institutions must comply with building safety requirements to prevent similar tragedies.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed grief over the incident and prayed for the recovery of those injured. He directed the administration to speed up rescue efforts.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi extended condolences to the bereaved families, saying the entire nation shared their sorrow.

Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said he was deeply saddened by the deaths of pupils and a teacher. He acknowledged the anguish of parents who had lost their children and called for effective arrangements to ensure proper treatment for those admitted to Lady Reading Hospital.

Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti expressed sympathy with the bereaved families, describing the loss of young lives as heartbreaking. He also prayed for the recovery of the injured.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah likewise expressed sorrow, describing the deaths of innocent children as an irreparable loss.

Previous School Roof Collapse Incidents

The Peshawar tragedy has renewed concerns about the safety of school buildings and construction standards across Pakistan.

On May 7, 2026, at least four children were killed and several others injured when a classroom roof collapsed at a private school in Dera Ghazi Khan.

Rescue teams said the incident occurred at a school between Blocks V and W. Four children’s bodies were recovered from the rubble, while a teacher and eight injured children were rescued alive and taken for medical treatment. Police and district administration officials also reached the scene to oversee the response.

Rescue personnel suspected that the classroom roof had collapsed because it was overloaded.

Building collapses remain a serious concern in Pakistan, where inadequate construction practices and poor enforcement of safety standards can put lives at risk.

In June 2026, more than a dozen children were reportedly killed when the roof of a tutoring centre collapsed in Lahore.

Earlier, in 2025, a five-storey building collapsed in Karachi’s Lyari area, killing 27 people and injuring 10 others.

The latest incident has intensified calls for thorough investigations, stronger building inspections and strict enforcement of safety regulations in schools to protect students and staff.