Peshawar School Collapse: At Least 29 Children Killed, Owner Arrested

At least 29 children and a female teacher were killed on Thursday when the roof of a private school collapsed in Peshawar’s Dir Colony, officials said, making it one of the deadliest school disasters in Pakistan in recent years. The Peshawar school collapse happened while classes were under way, trapping dozens of students beneath heavy debris.

Rescue 1122 teams rushed to the scene and worked through the day alongside local residents and volunteers. Officials said the roof of an upper floor gave way and crashed onto the first-floor roof, which then collapsed onto the students below. By the evening, the Peshawar deputy commissioner said everyone trapped under the rubble had been rescued.

FAKTA: The Peshawar school collapse

• Date and place: Thursday, October 15, 2026 — a private school in Dir Colony, Peshawar. Most of the children who died were under the age of 13.
• Death toll: At least 29 children and one female teacher killed, according to officials. Lady Reading Hospital received 28 bodies of children; two bodies were taken to the Naseerullah Khan Babar Memorial Hospital.
• Injured: At least 20 children reached Lady Reading Hospital; police put the total number of injured at more than 40.
• Cause under probe: SSP Operations said the roof was built with T-iron beams and planks and failed to bear the weight of between 110 and 115 children. The school owner has been arrested over the alleged use of substandard construction materials.
• Official response: The Provincial Education Secretary ordered the Private Schools Regulatory Authority to submit a report by Friday; the KP governor sought a report and directed best possible medical care for the injured.

How the Peshawar school collapse happened

According to SSP Operations, the collapsed roof was built with T-iron beams and planks — a structure never meant to carry between 110 and 115 children. When the upper floor gave way, it crushed the first-floor roof and buried the classrooms below.

One resident, Sher Ahmed, blamed substandard construction materials for the tragedy and demanded an investigation. Building and roof collapses are a recurring problem in Pakistan, often linked to poor safety standards, substandard construction materials and inadequate oversight.

Owner arrested, inquiry ordered

Capital City Police Officer Dr Mian Saeed said the school owner had been arrested in connection with the incident, and a police investigation officer said substandard materials had been used in the school building.

Provincial Education Secretary Inayatullah Waseem directed the managing director of the Private Schools Regulatory Authority to submit a report over the incident by tomorrow. KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi sought a report from the relevant authorities and directed them to provide the best possible medical facilities to the injured children.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep grief over the loss of lives and directed the authorities to ensure that the injured received all possible medical assistance. National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari also expressed sorrow and condolences.

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