At least 32 students under the age of 13 and one teacher died when a school roof collapsed in Peshawar, Pakistan. More than 50 others were injured in the incident.
Officials in Peshawar confirmed that the disaster occurred in the Afridi Abad area of the city. The deceased, along with more than 50 injured individuals, were transported to Lady Reading Hospital as rescue workers searched for survivors. District emergency officer Iftikhar Khan said at least 45 children had been recovered from the site, but more were believed to be trapped under the rubble.
A teacher from the school told reporters that the building had three floors and housed more than 1,200 pupils and staff. The cause of the collapse was not immediately clear. Local media attributed the increasing frequency of such incidents to poor building standards and maintenance.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the risks faced by students and staff in schools with inadequate infrastructure in Pakistan.
This section reflects Dumpling editorial interpretation and is provided for context only.
What to watch
Authorities will need to address the underlying causes of the collapse, including building standards and maintenance practices.
This section reflects Dumpling editorial interpretation and is provided for context only.