PESHAWAR: Rescue operations have been completed following the tragic collapse of a three-storey private school building in Dir Colony Peshawar, while preliminary investigations have identified the use of substandard construction materials in the roof as a suspected cause of the disaster.
Police have taken the school owner into custody and initiated legal proceedings against those allegedly responsible for the incident.
Earlier, according to a report published by Geo, school owner Khan Muhammad reportedly acknowledged that the building’s foundation had been laid only around one and a half years ago. The report claims that the structure collapsed following rainfall due to substandard construction.
The reported statement has raised questions about the role of the relevant government departments, building control authorities and education officials responsible for ensuring the safety of school buildings.
The incident also raised questions about the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government’s 13-year political tenure in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, alleging that corruption, administrative negligence and a lack of oversight contributed to the failure to ensure adequate safety standards.
It further questioned how no-objection certificates (NOCs) were allegedly issued without proper inspections of school buildings and compliance with prescribed safety protocols.
Immediately after receiving reports of the collapse, Rescue 1122 teams rushed to the site with ambulances and disaster response vehicles and launched an operation to remove the debris. After several hours of intensive rescue efforts, all individuals trapped beneath the rubble were reportedly recovered.
According to hospital and rescue sources, the tragic incident claimed the lives of 35 children and one female teacher, while 53 children sustained injuries.
Hospital officials reported that 33 bodies and 20 injured children were shifted to Lady Reading Hospital (LRH), while two bodies and 33 injured children were taken to Naseerullah Babar Memorial Hospital.
Lady Reading Hospital spokesperson Muhammad Asim said that most of the injured children had been discharged after receiving initial medical treatment. However, three children remain in critical condition due to severe head injuries and are receiving treatment.
The bodies of all the deceased have been handed over to their families after the completion of the necessary legal formalities.
The incident has raised serious concerns about construction standards and safety measures in educational institutions, with investigations expected to determine the exact cause of the collapse and establish responsibility.
1 Comment
[…] ALSO READ: Where Was PTI’s Education Emergency? Peshawar School Owner Admits Poor Construction After Building… […]