Peshawar School Roof Collapse Kills Dozens of Students and Teacher

Rescue operations concluded in Peshawar, Pakistan, after a school roof collapse on Thursday, October 15, 2026.

Lady Reading Hospital spokesperson Muhammad Asim stated that 30 students and one female teacher were killed, revising an earlier toll of 33. A total of 61 people were brought to the facility, with 30 discharged after treatment. The incident occurred at the private Al-Khair School in the Dir Colony or Afridi Abad area, where students were attending classes.

Peshawar Deputy Commissioner Afaq Wazir confirmed that rescue teams cleared all debris and no more injured children remained at the scene. Authorities attributed the collapse to weak infrastructure, with Peshawar police chief Mian Saeed stating the roof was overweight due to construction on a weak structure. The roof of an upper floor collapsed, causing ceilings below to cave in.

Rescue efforts faced challenges due to the building's weakened structure and narrow surrounding streets, which prevented the use of heavy machinery. Police arrested the school's owner, stating the institution operated under an educational trust and the building was poorly constructed. Managing Director of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Private Schools Regulatory Authority (KP-PSRA) Javed Iqbal said the school was registered in March 2026, but technical personnel were not present during its inspection.

Private School Association leader Inamullah Khan held the school principal and the Private Schools Regulatory Authority responsible, noting that permission for a three-story building was not allowed in the area. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed sorrow and directed authorities to provide medical assistance and accelerate rescue efforts. President Asif Ali Zardari called for a comprehensive investigation, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi ordered a structural safety audit of educational institutions. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government formed district-level committees to inspect private school buildings across the province, directing them to submit reports within three days.