Pakistan: Dozens of children killed in the collapse of school roof

Vatican News

The 34 children killed and those injured at Al-Khair school in Peshawar were between 6 and 12 years old, while the oldest was 14. A teacher is also among the victims. Declaring an emergency situation and the need for extra staff, hospital authorities said some of the injured were in critical condition.

Hours after the collapse in the northwestern city, an emergency services spokesperson said that everyone trapped beneath the rubble had been pulled out and crews had cleared debris.

He told The Associated Press that the roofs of two classrooms collapsed when second- and third-grade children were in them with their teachers.

He said ambulances and disaster management personnel arrived within minutes and nearly 100 rescuers eventually joined the operation. He credited the rapid evacuation with saving at least 40 lives.

As grief gripped the neighbourhood, announcements broadcast over mosque loudspeakers invited residents to attend mass funeral prayers for those killed.

Building collapses are reportedly common in Pakistan, where construction standards are often poorly enforced. Many structures are built with substandard materials, and safety regulations are frequently ignored to reduce costs.

Officials offer condolences and promise investigations. The Police chief said that the school's owner had been arrested.

In Islamabad, the President and Prime Minister expressed sorrow over the deaths, called for a comprehensive investigation into the collapse and stressed the need to ensure school buildings meet safety standards.

“The entire nation”, President Asif Zardari said, “shares the grief of the affected families in this hour of sorrow.”

(Source: AP)