Peshawer: At least 35 people, including 34 children and a female teacher, died when the roof of a private school collapsed in Peshawar’s Dir Colony. Dozens of others were injured in the incident, raising serious concerns about school building safety and the monitoring of private educational institutions. Police have arrested the school owner as the investigation continues.
According to rescue officials, the incident occurred on Thursday morning. Rescue teams rushed to the site after receiving information about the collapse. Local residents also joined the rescue operation and helped pull children from the rubble. The injured were taken to Lady Reading Hospital and other medical facilities. Some were reported to be in critical condition. Officials said everyone trapped beneath the debris had been rescued.
Initial findings have raised concerns about the building’s structure and the condition of its roof. According to a preliminary report by the district administration and rescue officials, rain had weakened the roof of the third floor. Some parts of the building were also declared unsafe. Authorities are investigating these findings to determine the cause of the collapse.
The registration of the school has also come under scrutiny. According to ARY News, the head of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Private School Regulatory Authority said the institution was registered in March 2026. Questions have also emerged about the availability of technical staff and the inspection process.
With the school owner in police custody, investigators are examining whether the building met construction and safety standards. They are also looking into the condition of the roof before the incident and whether any warning signs were ignored. Responsibility for the tragedy will be determined after the investigation is completed.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over the loss of lives and directed authorities to ensure the best possible medical care for the injured. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi also sought a report on the incident. Meanwhile, the provincial education department formed an inquiry committee to investigate the causes of the collapse and determine whether negligence was involved.
The tragedy has renewed calls for stronger safety measures in schools. UNICEF, the United Nations agency for children, also stressed the importance of enforcing safety standards and conducting regular inspections of school buildings in its statement on the Peshawar school roof collapse.
The immediate priority is to establish what caused the collapse and ensure accountability wherever violations are found. Authorities must also strengthen building inspections, repair unsafe structures and ensure that schools meet required safety standards. Regular monitoring and timely action could help prevent similar tragedies and protect the lives of children and teachers.
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