School roof collapse in Peshawar kills at least 33 pupils and a teacher

16 October 2026

At least 33 pupils and a teacher were killed when a school roof collapsed in Peshawar in north-western Pakistan, according to hospital officials.
More than a dozen others were injured, some in a critical condition.
Emergency services were called to the private Al-Khair school in Dir Colony at 08:48 local time after lessons had begun.
Rescue official Bilal Faizi said the roof of an upper-floor classroom collapsed, causing ceilings below to cave in and trapping children under the debris.
Peshawar police chief Mian Saeed said classrooms on three floors were brought down, with about 30 pupils in the top class, 40 in the middle and 45 on the ground floor.
The police chief said the school's owner had been taken into custody and promised a thorough inquiry into whether there were any violations of building codes; emergency official Arif Khattak said the building had been constructed on a temporary basis.