Peshawar school roof collapse kills 35, including 34 students, after part of a private school building in Dir Colony gave way. A teacher also died, while several students were injured. Police have arrested the school owner as investigators examine structural weakness, building inspections and possible negligence.
Dilapidated school building
At least 35 people, including 34 students and a teacher, have died after portions of a private school collapsed in Peshawar's Dir Colony. At least 19 other people were reported injured, with several in critical condition.
Senior police officials said the school structure was in a severely deteriorated state. Preliminary findings indicate that parts of the building may have been too weak to safely support the number of students using the classrooms.
Authorities are now examining whether warning signs about the condition of the property had been identified earlier and whether the building had undergone appropriate safety inspections.
Students trapped in classrooms
Around 300 students were believed to be studying at the school, according to police. Approximately 100 students were inside three classrooms affected by the collapse when the structure failed.
Emergency teams rushed to the site to rescue survivors and move injured students to hospitals. Families gathered near medical facilities and the school as authorities worked to identify victims and provide updates.
The scale of the tragedy has raised serious questions about overcrowding, structural maintenance and whether private educational institutions are being subjected to adequate building safety checks.
School owner arrested
Police have arrested the owner of the school while investigators examine responsibility for the collapse. Authorities identified the institution as Khair Education System, also referred to as Al-Khair school, in Dir Colony.
Investigators are reviewing the school's maintenance history, construction records and any previous inspections. They are also examining whether the management knew about structural weaknesses and allowed classes to continue despite potential risks.
The arrest is part of the ongoing investigation and does not by itself establish criminal responsibility.
Shehbaz Sharif orders investigation
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed condolences to families who lost children and a teacher and ordered a comprehensive investigation into the disaster.
Sharif directed authorities to provide the best possible medical treatment to injured students and called for legal action against anyone found responsible. Governor Faisal Karim Kundi also shared details of the prime minister's response and condolences.
The All Pakistan Private Schools' Federation has demanded strict action, arguing that the tragedy reflects a serious failure of responsibility and oversight.
Negligence under scrutiny
Investigators are expected to determine whether structural weakness, overcrowding, inadequate maintenance or failures in official inspections contributed to the collapse.
The disaster has renewed concerns about Pakistan school safety and the condition of buildings being used as educational institutions. Regular structural assessments, occupancy limits and stronger enforcement of safety rules could become central issues following the investigation.
