All deceased children under 13 years of age; Dozens injured, emergency declared in hospital, investigation started regarding weak building
Peshawar. A major accident occurred on Thursday when the roof of a private school collapsed in Peshawar, the capital of Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. According to initial information, 17 students and a female teacher died while more than 40 people were injured in the incident that took place while classes were going on. The age of the deceased children is said to be 13 years or less. After the accident, relief and rescue teams launched an operation to rescue people trapped under the debris.
The roof suddenly collapsed during classes
This incident happened at Al-Khair School located in Afridi Abad area of Peshawar. According to local officials, studies were going on in the school when the upper part of the roof collapsed. Debris fell on the classrooms below it and the students sitting in them.
Immediately after the incident, nearby people and rescue workers reached the spot. The injured were taken to Lady Reading Hospital by ambulance, where emergency arrangements were made for the treatment of the injured.
Fear of increasing death toll
Initial information confirmed the death of 17 students and one teacher. Rescue operations continued with several people injured and some children feared trapped under the debris. Officials feared that the death toll could increase.
In some reports that came out later, information about the increase in the number of dead was also given. Therefore, the initial figures cannot be considered as final numbers.
Fear of weak building, investigation ordered
Police officials have expressed fear of weakening of the structure of the building and additional load on the roof. However, the actual cause of the accident will be officially confirmed only after the investigation is completed. The administration has ordered an investigation into the incident, so that aspects related to building construction and safety standards can be investigated.
Government expressed grief, gave instructions for treatment of the injured
Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi expressed grief over the incident. Officials have been instructed to ensure better treatment of the injured and investigation into the cause of the accident.
This accident has raised serious questions regarding the safety of children in schools and the construction standards of buildings. The investigation is yet to clarify what safety lapses there were in the building and who is responsible for the accident.