At least 19 people, including 18 pupils and a teacher, have died after a school roof collapsed in Peshawar, northwestern Pakistan, during lessons on Thursday morning.
The incident occurred in the Dir Colony area, leaving 40 others injured, according to local media reports.
Rescue teams rushed to the scene and began searching through the rubble for survivors, amid fears that more children could still be trapped beneath the debris.
Mohammad Asim, spokesperson for Peshawar’s Lady Reading Hospital, confirmed that all the pupils who died were under the age of 13.
The tragedy sparked an outpouring of grief across Pakistan, with senior government officials expressing condolences to the victims’ families and calling for urgent medical assistance for those injured.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed sorrow over the deaths, describing the loss of the children and their teacher as devastating. He offered condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for strength as they cope with the tragedy.
Sharif also wished the injured a speedy recovery and directed authorities to ensure they received the necessary medical care.
Meanwhile, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi requested a detailed report from the relevant authorities to establish the circumstances surrounding the collapse.
President Asif Ali Zardari also expressed shock and grief over the deaths and injuries, describing the incident as a heartbreaking tragedy that had plunged the country into mourning.
In a statement shared on X by his office, Zardari extended condolences to the affected families and prayed for the full recovery of those injured.
He directed authorities to provide the victims with the best possible medical treatment and called for a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the collapse.
The president also emphasised the need to review and enforce safety standards for school buildings to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Rescue operations were ongoing as authorities worked to establish the cause of the collapse and determine whether anyone else remained trapped beneath the rubble.
The incident has renewed concerns over the structural safety of educational institutions and the need for regular building inspections to protect pupils and teachers.
