At least 33 students and a teacher died when a school roof collapsed in Peshawar, Pakistan, trapping others under rubble. Emergency services worked to rescue survivors as the incident highlights ongoing safety concerns in the region.
Officials confirmed the collapse occurred at a private school in Peshawar, with the roof of an upper-floor classroom collapsing and causing ceilings below to cave in. Rescue teams reported extracting at least 45 children, though some were still believed to be trapped. The building, constructed on a temporary basis, was described as having substandard roof slabs and being overloaded.
The incident underscores a pattern of structural failures in Pakistan's education system, with similar collapses reported in recent months. Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause and ordered safety audits for all schools in the province. Families of victims have accused the school of ignoring safety concerns.
The collapse follows a series of incidents involving school buildings in Pakistan, including a recent incident in Lahore where a private tutoring facility collapsed, killing 14 children. Officials have warned of potential ongoing risks due to poor building standards and maintenance.