35 killed as roof of private school collapses in Peshawar

PESHAWAR: Thirty-four children and a female teacher were killed when the roof of a three-story private school collapsed in Peshawar, officials said Thursday, as authorities launched an investigation into the disaster.

The collapse occurred in the city’s Dair Colony area, trapping children under the rubble and injuring dozens of others, rescue officials said.

The administration of Lady Reading Hospital said 33 bodies were brought to the facility, while two bodies were taken to Naseerullah Babar Memorial Hospital.

The children killed in the incident were between 7 and 13 years old, rescue officials said. More than 40 people were injured, according to Peshawar Capital City Police Officer Mian Saeed.

Police arrested the school owner and detained the principal as investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the collapse. Authorities said an investigation was underway into when the school building was constructed and whether safety requirements had been met.

District officials formed an inquiry committee to determine the cause of the collapse. Rescue teams removed the rubble and recovered all those trapped beneath the debris, officials said.

School Building Had Not Undergone Technical Inspection

Government sources said the school building had not undergone a technical inspection before its registration with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Private Schools Regulatory Authority in March 2026.

Javed Iqbal, managing director of the authority, said it did not have a team to conduct technical inspections of school buildings. He said schools were registered after meeting classroom and other administrative requirements.

Iqbal added that the authority could impose fines on schools operating in dilapidated buildings but did not have the power to shut them down.

Province Orders Safety Inspections of Private Schools

Following the tragedy, the provincial government ordered inspections of private school buildings across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

District-level committees will examine buildings, including their roofs, walls and foundations. The committees include district monitoring officers and representatives of the education and communications and works departments.

The committees have been directed to submit reports on building conditions and safety arrangements within three days. They will identify unsafe structures and recommend necessary repairs and safety measures.

Governor Seeks Report on Tragedy

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi expressed grief over the deaths and sought a report from the relevant authorities. He also directed officials to ensure the best possible medical treatment for injured children.

Funeral prayers for the children killed in the collapse were held in Dair Colony, attended by hundreds of people, including Kundi and education adviser Amir Abdullah.

Samar Haroon Bilour, an adviser on information to the governor’s advisory council, told Geo News that the tragedy highlighted a lack of accountability in the system.

She said financial assistance would be provided to the families of children killed or injured in the incident and pledged that those found responsible for negligence would face action.

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