PESHAWAR, Pakistan, October 15, 2026: Dozens of children and a female teacher were killed after the roof of a private school collapsed in Peshawar, northwestern Pakistan, on Thursday, triggering a major rescue operation and an investigation into the building’s safety.
Reuters reported that at least 34 children and one teacher had died, while 45 children were injured. The reported toll differed from an earlier UNICEF statement, which said at least 28 children and one teacher had been killed and more than 50 children injured. The figures were reported at different stages as information developed.
The incident took place at the privately run Al-Khair Education Center in Peshawar’s Dir Colony. Authorities have arrested the school’s owner, and police are investigating the circumstances that led to the collapse.
What happened at the Peshawar school?
The collapse occurred at around 8:48 am local time while students were attending classes. Reports said the roof of an upper floor gave way, causing parts of the building to collapse onto classrooms below and trapping children beneath the debris.
Rescue workers, police and local residents rushed to the site. Emergency teams spent several hours removing rubble and transporting injured students to hospitals.
Many of the children who died were younger than 13, according to Reuters. The scale of the casualties left families searching for information about their children as rescue workers continued to clear the site.
What caused the school building to collapse?
Peshawar police chief Mian Saeed said the building had a weak structure and that additional construction had placed excessive weight on the roof.
Investigators are examining the building’s condition and whether safety requirements were ignored. The arrest of the school owner is part of the investigation and does not, by itself, establish criminal responsibility.
Authorities will need to determine the precise structural failure, whether the building had the required approvals and whether any negligence contributed to the deaths and injuries.
Rescue operation and condition of the injured
The rescue operation in the northwestern Pakistan’s province continued for several hours as emergency personnel worked to reach children trapped under the debris. The injured were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment, with some reportedly suffering serious injuries.
The differing casualty figures reported by Reuters and UNICEF reflect updates at different points in the response. The final toll and the condition of those injured should be confirmed through the latest statements from local authorities and hospitals.
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UNICEF calls for school safety inspections
UNICEF expressed deep sadness over the deaths and called for urgent action to ensure that all schools, both public and private, meet building-safety standards and undergo regular inspections.
The UN agency said children should be able to attend school without being exposed to preventable risks. It also offered support for affected children, families and communities, including psychosocial assistance.
The tragedy has renewed questions about the safety of educational buildings in Pakistan, particularly privately operated schools in low-income neighbourhoods.
Pakistan leaders express grief
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed condolences to the families of the victims, while President Asif Ali Zardari also conveyed sorrow over the incident.
The immediate priorities include treatment for survivors, assistance to bereaved families and a transparent investigation into the building’s condition.
The incident is likely to intensify calls for inspections of school infrastructure and stronger enforcement of construction standards to prevent similar tragedies.
Frequently asked questions
Where did the school collapse take place?
The collapse occurred at the Al-Khair Education Center in Dir Colony, Peshawar, in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
How many children were killed?
Reuters reported that at least 34 children and a female teacher were killed. UNICEF’s earlier statement reported 28 children and one teacher. The toll should be checked against the latest official update.
What caused the collapse?
Peshawar’s police chief said the building was structurally weak and that additional construction had overloaded the roof. An investigation is under way.
Has anyone been arrested?
Police said the school’s owner had been arrested as part of the investigation.
What has UNICEF demanded?
UNICEF called for strict enforcement of building-safety standards and regular inspections of public and private schools.
