Peshawar School Roof Collapse Kills 17 Children, Teacher

Lady Reading Hospital Medical Teaching Institution (MTI) spokesperson Muhammad Asim confirmed that 17 children and a woman teacher were brought to the hospital dead following the incident.

He said more than 40 injured children and teachers had also been shifted to the hospital. An emergency was declared, while hospital administrators were present in the trauma unit to supervise the medical response.

The spokesperson said the injured were receiving immediate treatment, adding that some children were in critical condition. All the children were aged 13 or younger, he added.

According to rescue officials, most of the injured were children around 13 years of age, along with staff members of the Al-Khair School System. They were taken to Lady Reading Hospital for treatment.

Rescue teams reached the site and launched an operation to remove debris and evacuate those affected. Fears that more children could remain trapped prompted continued search efforts.

Police and local administration officials were also expected to assist with the response and oversee arrangements at the site.

The cause of the collapse had not been confirmed at the time of reporting. Rescue workers continued efforts to locate possible survivors and recover anyone remaining beneath the debris.

The incident comes months after a similar tragedy in Dera Ghazi Khan. On May 7, at least four children died when a classroom roof collapsed at a private school between Blocks V and W.

Rescue officials said four children’s bodies were recovered from the rubble, while a teacher and eight injured children were rescued alive and shifted for medical treatment. Police and district administration officials also reached the scene to supervise the operation.

Rescue team members said the roof in the Dera Ghazi Khan incident appeared to have collapsed because of overloading.