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Rescue officials say several children still trapped under rubble after roof collapse
Bureau Report
PESHAWAR: At least 30 children and a female teacher died on Thursday after the roof of a private school collapsed in Peshawar’s Dir Colony, officials said.
The administration of Lady Reading Hospital (LRH), which initially reported four deaths, later said that bodies of 28 children were brought to the hospital.
The administration said that 20 children were also injured in the roof collapse.
The body of a female teacher was also brought to the hospital following the incident, LRH administration said.
Meanwhile, Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Dr Mian Saeed said that over 40 have been injured in roof collapse in the provincial capital.
CCPO Saeed said that the owner of the private school has been arrested following the incident.
Rescue officials had earlier said that several children were trapped under the rubble after the school roof collapsed.
The rescue operation gets underway as teams search the debris for the children and school staff, according to rescue authorities.
Provincial Education Secretary Inayatullah Waseem directed the managing director of the Private Schools Regulatory Authority to submit a report over the incident by tomorrow.
The education secretary also expressed heartfelt condolences to the families of the children and teachers who died in the incident.
KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi expressed sorrow over the incident and sought a report from the relevant authorities.
He also directed authorities to provide the best possible medical facilities to injured children.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep grief over the loss of lives in the collapse of a school roof in Peshawar.
The prime minister offered prayers for the elevation of the ranks of those killed in the tragic incident, including children.
He also prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured and directed the authorities to ensure that they received all possible medical assistance.
The prime minister further instructed the authorities to expedite relief and rescue operations at the site of the school roof collapse.
National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said the loss of innocent children had left him deeply saddened.
Speaker Sadiq expressed solidarity with the bereaved families, and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured.
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari also expressed grief over the school roof collapse and called on the administration to accelerate rescue efforts.
He urged officials to immediately retrieve those trapped beneath the debris and ensure effective arrangements for treating the injured brought to LRH.
KP governor’s adviser on Information and Public Relations Samar Haroon Bilour expressed grief over the roof collapse, directing the provision of the best possible medical facilities to the injured children.
