At least four children died on Thursday after the roof of a private school collapsed in Peshawar's Dir Colony, Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Dr Mian Saeed said. The tragic incident has sent a wave of shock and grief across the provincial capital, prompting an immediate response from local authorities and emergency services.
According to CCPO Saeed, over 40 people have been injured in the roof collapse. The injured, mostly students, were rushed to nearby medical facilities for urgent treatment.
The scale of the disaster has overwhelmed local emergency responders, who are working tirelessly to manage the influx of casualties. The administration of Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) initially reported four deaths, confirming that 20 children had been transferred to the hospital immediately following the incident.
Medical staff at LRH are currently providing critical care to the survivors, many of whom are reported to be in serious condition. Rescue officials had earlier stated that several children were trapped under the rubble after the school roof caved in.
Heavy machinery and specialized rescue teams were deployed to the site to clear the debris and locate those still buried beneath the collapsed structure. Rescue operations are currently underway as teams search the debris for remaining children and school staff, according to rescue authorities.
The focus remains on saving lives, with local volunteers also assisting the professional rescue teams in the difficult task of removing heavy concrete slabs. Eyewitnesses at the scene described a chaotic environment as parents rushed to the school in panic, searching for their children.
The structural integrity of the building is now under scrutiny, with preliminary reports suggesting that the aging infrastructure may have contributed to the collapse. Local government officials have promised a thorough investigation into the incident to determine if there was any negligence regarding the building's maintenance or safety standards.
The provincial government is expected to announce compensation for the affected families. As the rescue operation continues, the area around Dir Colony remains cordoned off to allow emergency vehicles easy access.
The community has gathered in large numbers, praying for the recovery of the injured and mourning the loss of the young lives. This is a developing story and is being updated with further details as more information becomes available from the site and hospital authorities.
The authorities have urged the public to remain calm and cooperate with the rescue teams operating in the area. The incident highlights the urgent need for safety audits of private educational institutions across the province to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Further updates will be provided as the situation evolves.