Pakistan school roof collapse kills at least 35, injures over 50

At least 35 killed and more than 50 injured as school roof collapses in Pakistan

October 16

In Peshawar city in northwestern Pakistan, the roof of a private school collapsed, killing at least 35 people, including 34 children and one teacher, and injuring more than 50, according to AP news agency.

On October 15, at Al-Khair Private School, two upper-floor roofs suddenly collapsed while second- and third-grade students were studying, it is reported.

Most of the children killed in the accident were between 6 and 12 years old, and since some of the injured are in critical condition, the hospital has declared an emergency and is providing treatment to the injured, officials from Lady Reading Hospital said.

Within minutes of the incident, local residents and nearly 100 rescue team members arrived and were able to rescue more than 40 people alive from the debris, it is reported.

According to the Peshawar city police chief, the school building was not structurally sound, and the school owner has been arrested.

The school owner, however, said that one roof had been weakened by rainfall during the week. Currently, the cause of the roof collapse is still under investigation.

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari also urged that school buildings be inspected for compliance with established safety standards to prevent similar incidents from recurring, and that the incident be thoroughly investigated.

Also last July, in Lahore city, Pakistan, the roof of a tutoring school under construction collapsed, killing 4 students.

In Pakistan, because enforcement of construction standards is weak, building collapses frequently occur, and the use of substandard materials to reduce construction costs and failure to comply with safety regulations are also among the main causes of building collapses.

Ref: AP
Photo: Reuters

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