Peshawar, 15 October, 2026 (Nosheen): At least 35 people, including 34 students and a female teacher, were killed after the roof of a private school collapsed in Dir Colony, Peshawar, on Thursday, triggering an emergency rescue operation. According to Rescue 1122, the incident occurred on College Road in Dir Colony. The administration of Lady Reading Hospital confirmed that 33 bodies were brought to the facility, while two others were shifted to Naseerullah Khan Babar Memorial Hospital. All the deceased children were aged 13 or younger. An emergency was declared at hospitals, where medical teams provided immediate treatment to the injured, some of whom were reported to be in critical condition. Pakistan Army personnel joined rescue workers and other relief agencies in pulling children and school staff from the rubble and shifting the injured to hospitals. The rescue operation has been completed. An initial report revealed that the three-storey school building was already in a dilapidated condition and that the roof of one classroom collapsed first, followed by the rest of the structure. The school, owned by the imam of a nearby mosque, provided both religious and formal education, with around 110 children enrolled. Rescue teams also faced difficulties due to the school’s location in narrow streets. Senior police officials confirmed that the school owner had been taken into custody and that a case would be registered against him. Peshawar’s deputy commissioner has formed an inquiry committee and directed it to submit its findings within 24 hours. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed directed the Peshawar Capital City Police Officer to supervise rescue efforts and ordered traffic police to establish a green corridor for ambulances. President Asif Ali Zardari expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and injuries, extended condolences to the bereaved families and said the tragedy had left the entire nation grieving.