Pakistan School Roof Collapse: Death Toll Rises to 34 as 32 Children and a Teacher Die at Al-Khair School, Owner Arrested Over Weak Building Structure

Pakistan School Roof Collapse: A school morning in Peshawar turned into a devastating tragedy on Thursday, October 15, after a roof collapse buried children inside their classrooms and triggered an urgent rescue operation. Hospital figures in the latest update put the death toll at 34, including 32 children and a teacher at Lady Reading Hospital, along with another child reported dead at Naseerullah Khan Babar Memorial Hospital.

More than 40 injured people were also taken for medical treatment as families waited anxiously for news of their children.

The collapse occurred at the private Al-Khair school in Peshawar, northwestern Pakistan. Authorities have arrested the school owner, while preliminary investigations point to a structurally weak building. The disaster has also renewed concerns about school infrastructure, construction quality and the enforcement of safety standards in Pakistan. Published reports have carried different casualty figures as officials and hospitals issued updates, so the toll may require further confirmation. 

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Peshawar School Roof Collapse: What Happened?

The roof of the Al-Khair school building collapsed during classes on Thursday morning in Peshawar. Rescue officials said the roof of an upper section fell onto the structure below, trapping children beneath concrete and other debris.

The emergency response centre reportedly received a call at around 8:48 AM local time. Residents reached the school before and alongside emergency teams, with some attempting to remove rubble using shovels while rescuers worked to reach children trapped inside the affected classrooms.

District emergency officer Iftikhar Khan said: “We have taken out ​at ‌least 45 children,” while warning that more children were believed to remain under the rubble.
The collapse prompted rescue teams to rush injured children and staff to nearby hospitals. Lady Reading Hospital declared an emergency to handle the casualties, while medical teams treated injured pupils, including those reported to be in critical condition. 

Pakistan School Roof Collapse: Peshawar School Roof Collapse Death Toll Rises to 34

The latest hospital figures provided for this report put the death toll at 34. Lady Reading Hospital reported 33 deaths, including 32 children and a teacher, while Naseerullah Khan Babar Memorial Hospital reported the death of another child.

Earlier reports gave lower figures as hospitals received victims and authorities continued to assess the scale of the disaster. Reuters initially reported at least 28 deaths, while the Associated Press later reported at least 29 people killed. The figures reflect different reporting stages, and the latest total should be checked against subsequent official hospital statements.