Summary Peshawar school roof collapse kills 35, including 34 students and a teacher, prompting emergency rescue and hospital response.
PESHAWAR (Dunya News) - At least 35 people, including 34 students and a female teacher, have been killed after the roof of a private school collapsed in Peshawar’s Dir Colony on Thursday.
According to Rescue 1122, the incident occurred on College Road in Dir Colony, prompting an immediate rescue operation.
The administration of Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) said that 33 bodies were brought to the hospital.
Two bodies were shifted to Naseerullah Khan Babar Memorial Hospital in the provincial capital, it added.
He said all the children were aged 13 or younger. An emergency was declared at the hospital, where medical staff were providing immediate treatment to the injured, some of whom were reported to be in critical condition.
Hospital administration officials were present in the trauma unit as the injured received medical care.
Pakistan Army personnel were assisting rescue workers and other relief agencies in the operation. Teams were pulling children and school staff from the debris and shifting them to hospitals for treatment.
Rescue operation completed
Following the collapse, rescue and police teams were directed to use all available resources to assist those trapped beneath the rubble.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed instructed the Peshawar CCPO to supervise rescue efforts and directed traffic police to establish a green corridor to facilitate the uninterrupted movement of ambulances.
The provincial police chief expressed solidarity with the affected families during the tragedy.
Initial report highlights poor condition of school building
An initial report into the incident found that the school building was already in a dilapidated condition. According to the report, the roof of one classroom collapsed first, followed by the rest of the structure as crowds gathered at the site during rescue efforts.
The report also stated that accommodation had been provided to some children at the school. The three-storey private institution was owned by the imam of a nearby mosque and offered both religious and formal education.
Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) said around 110 children were enrolled at the school and that its roofs were in poor condition. Rescue operations also faced difficulties because the school was located in narrow streets.
Senior Superintendent of Police (Operations) said the rescue operation had been completed and the school owner had been taken into custody. A case will be registered against the owner, the official added.
The deputy commissioner of Peshawar has formed an inquiry committee to investigate the incident and directed it to submit its report within 24 hours.
President, PM and political leaders express grief
President Asif Ali Zardari expressed deep sorrow over the deaths and injuries, saying the tragedy had left the entire nation grieving. He extended condolences and sympathies to the bereaved families.
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) October 15, 2026
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed grief over the loss of lives and directed the authorities to provide all possible medical assistance to the injured.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi sought a report on the incident and directed the authorities to determine the cause of the collapse.
The tragic loss of innocent children in the school roof collapse in Peshawar’s Dir Colony is deeply heartbreaking. I have instructed the Education Advisor to submit a detailed report on the incident and directed the relevant authorities to ensure that the injured children receive the best possible medical care. I have also directed a province-wide structural safety audit of all educational institutions to identify potential risks and ensure that immediate corrective measures are taken wherever necessary. We cannot allow the safety of our children to be compromised. My heartfelt condolences are with the bereaved families, and I pray for the swift recovery of the injured children.
— Faisal Karim Kundi (@fkkundi) October 15, 2026
Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said he was deeply shocked by the tragic news. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah also expressed condolences over the incident.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Adviser for Information Samar Haroon Bilour expressed sorrow over the injuries to children and said she shared the grief of the affected families. She directed the relevant authorities to ensure the timely provision of the best possible medical care to the injured children.
