Rescue teams searching for children feared trapped under rubble, death toll may rise: Rescue 1122
Parents rush to rescue children trapped under the rubble after the roof of Al-Khair School System collapsed in Peshawar’s Dir Colony on Thursday. PHOTO: EXPRESS
PESHAWAR:
At least 28 children and two female teachers were killed when the roof of a private school collapsed in Peshawar on Thursday, while more than 30 others were injured, Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) spokesperson Muhammad Asim said.
According to Asim, an emergency was declared at LRH, with senior hospital officials present in the trauma ward to oversee the treatment of the injured, some of whom were in critical condition.
“All the children were aged 13 or younger,” the spokesperson added.
Rescue 1122 said ambulances and disaster response vehicles were dispatched to the site, where rescue teams launched operations and shifted injured children to hospital.
“The rescue operation was underway to search for more people trapped under the debris, with fears that the death toll could rise,” Rescue 1122 said.
Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Dr Mian Saeed said the school owner had been taken into custody and a case would be registered over the incident.
He said the school’s roofs had been poorly constructed and that the building was located in narrow streets, which had made rescue operations difficult. A total of 110 children were enrolled at the school, he added.
Following the incident, Pakistan Army personnel also reached the site and joined rescue and relief agencies in efforts to recover children and school staff feared trapped beneath the rubble and transport the injured to hospitals.
Condolences pour in
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep grief over the loss of life in the roof collapse and prayed for the elevation of the ranks of those killed.
In a statement, the prime minister extended his condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for them to have patience and strength. PM Shehbaz also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured, directed that they be provided with the best possible medical treatment, and ordered the authorities to expedite rescue operations.
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Governor Faisal Karim Kundi also expressed deep sorrow over the incident and extended his heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the families of the children killed in the incident.
“The loss of precious lives of innocent children is an extremely painful tragedy,” he said. The governor prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured children and directed the relevant authorities to provide them with the best possible medical facilities.
He also sought a detailed report from the relevant authorities on the school roof collapse and directed them to determine the cause of the incident. “May Allah Almighty grant the martyred children a place in His mercy and give their bereaved families the strength to bear this loss,” Governor Kundi said.
K-P Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed took notice of the incident, expressing great sorrow and directed the Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) to personally supervise rescue operations.
He ordered the immediate and safe recovery of people trapped under the rubble and directed the Peshawar Chief Traffic Officer to establish a green corridor to ensure the uninterrupted movement of ambulances.
The IGP stressed that traffic flow on all routes leading to hospitals must be ensured and instructed the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Operations and police rescue teams to utilise all available resources at the site. He said the K-P Police stood with the affected families and prayed for the speedy and complete recovery of the injured children and teachers.
Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also expressed deep grief over the deaths, saying he was deeply shocked by the tragic news. He said he understood the profound grief of the parents who had lost their children and directed the administration to expedite rescue operations and immediately recover those trapped under the rubble.
Bilawal also called for effective arrangements to ensure proper medical treatment for the injured brought to Lady Reading Hospital.
This is a developing story
