School roof collapse in Pakistan kills at least 27, injures dozens as more deaths feared

At least 27 students and a teacher have lost their lives after a school roof collapsed in Pakistan, authorities say, warning that the death toll could rise, as search efforts continue for pupils who might still be trapped beneath rubble.

The deadly incident occurred at the privately-run Al-Khair Education Center in the northwest Pakistani city of Peshawar on Thursday.

According to Asim Khan, spokesperson for the Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar, some 47 children were also injured in the tragic incident.

Bilal Ahmed of the local rescue services told CNN that heavy rainfall had caused the roof of the two-story building to collapse.

“Our children are our most precious asset, and every such loss is a tragedy for the entire country,” Pakistan's deputy prime minister Ishaq Dar said in a post on X, adding that the collapse of a school roof in Peshawar has “deeply pained the entire nation.”

“My heartfelt condolences and prayers are with the bereaved families”, he further said, stressing that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the government have already taken serious note of the situation.

Dar added that the safety and protection of children “must remain paramount.”

Television images showed ambulances rushing to the school as ⁠rescuers pulled bloodied students from the rubble.

Building collapses are frequent in Pakistan. Back in June, 14 children lost their lives when the roof of a private tuition center collapsed in Lahore’s Kahna area.