School roof collapse in Peshawar kills at least 34 children and a teacher
In short
At least 34 children and a teacher died when the roof of a private school collapsed in Peshawar, Pakistan, on October 15, according to later reports. More than 50 people were injured, Interfax reported, with some in critical condition.
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At least 34 children and a teacher were killed when the roof of a private school collapsed in Peshawar, northwestern Pakistan, on October 15, according to later reports from Meduza, RIA Novosti and Interfax. Interfax, citing Associated Press, said more than 50 people were injured and some were in critical condition. [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]
A rescue service representative told Associated Press that the roofs of two classrooms collapsed while second- and third-grade pupils were inside with their teachers, Interfax reported. About 100 specialists took part in the rescue operation. The representative said everyone had been recovered from the rubble and that rapid evacuation had helped save at least 40 lives. [ 5 ]
The casualty count rose during the day. Kommersant's earlier report put the toll at at least 21 children and a teacher, with 40 people injured, and said search-and-rescue work was continuing. By the afternoon, Meduza and RIA Novosti reported 34 children and a teacher dead. Interfax's later report gave the same death toll. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
A representative of Lady Reading Hospital said the children killed and injured were aged between six and 14, according to Interfax. The hospital declared an emergency. President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed condolences to the victims' families, the outlet reported. [ 5 ]
Authorities detained the school's owner and began investigating the collapse, according to Meduza and Interfax. Meduza said police attributed the disaster to a weak building structure, while the owner blamed rain that increased the load on the roof. Local authorities announced a commission to investigate the cause, Meduza reported. [ 3 , 5 ]
Why it matters
The collapse struck classrooms during lessons and left children among the dead and critically injured. Authorities detained the school owner and began investigating the cause.
Key facts
- Later reports put the death toll at 34 children and one teacher. [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- The roof collapsed at a private school in Peshawar on October 15. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Rescuers had recovered everyone from the rubble, a rescue official told Associated Press, according to Interfax. [ 5 ]
- The school owner was detained and authorities launched an investigation. [ 3 , 5 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- The precise cause remains under investigation. Meduza reported that police blamed a weak structure while the school owner blamed rain that increased the load on the roof.