After Classroom Tragedy Kills 35, Pakistan Orders School Inspections Following Deadly Roof Collapse
Inspections ordered after collapse
The government has directed officials in northeastern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to inspect regional schools after Thursday’s fatal collapse at Al-Khair school. The education department must submit its findings within three days, according to The Associated Press.
Reports differ over whether the inspections will include both public and private schools or only private institutions. Officials will classify buildings as safe, needing repairs or improvements, or potentially unsafe.
Buildings and deaths assessed
Inspectors are expected to assess roofs, ceilings, walls and staircases. At least 34 students aged 13 or younger and one teacher died when the mud-and-brick roof gave way.
Police arrested school owner Mohammad Khan shortly after the collapse. Peshawar Police Chief Saeed Ahmed said the building was structurally weak and that Khan told officers recent rains had weakened it.
Families call for accountability
Relatives of victims say they had repeatedly warned Khan that rainwater was seeping into classrooms. Bereaved families are demanding justice.
Key points
- At least 34 students and a teacher died in the Al-Khair school roof collapse.
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s education department has three days to report inspection findings.
- Reports conflict over whether public schools will be included in the checks.
- Families say they repeatedly warned the school owner about rainwater leaking into classrooms.