Peshawar School Collapse: 27 Children and 2 Teachers Killed, Owner Arrested

At least 29 people, including 27 children and 2 female teachers, died after a private school roof collapsed in Peshawar’s Dir Colony on Thursday. Rescue teams searched the debris for survivors as injured children received treatment at Lady Reading Hospital.

The roof of Al-Khair Education Center collapsed during classes on October 15, trapping students beneath the rubble. The children who died were aged 13 or younger, according to hospital officials. Several injured students were reported to be in critical condition.

Lady Reading Hospital declared an emergency to treat the victims. Rescue 1122 teams and local residents took part in the rescue operation. Emergency officials said they had pulled at least 45 children from the debris, while concerns remained about people who might still be trapped.

School Owner Arrested as Police Investigate

Peshawar police arrested the school owner in connection with the collapse. Police chief Saeed Ahmed said the building was structurally weak. Investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the incident

Rescue operations faced difficulties because of the building’s condition and the narrow streets around the school. These conditions restricted access for heavy machinery and complicated efforts to remove the debris.

The school collapse occurred amid concerns about building safety and construction standards in Pakistan. Earlier in June 2026 a roof collapse at a tuition center in Lahore that killed 14 children.

Government Orders Action

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over the deaths and offered condolences to the affected families. He also called for medical assistance for the injured and directed authorities to intensify rescue efforts

Education Secretary Inayatullah ordered the Private Schools Regulatory Authority to investigate the incident and submit a report. Officials were directed to visit the site, collect evidence and determine the cause of the collapse

The investigation will establish whether structural defects, construction practices or other factors contributed to the tragedy.