Peshawar school owner blames recent rains for deadly collapse
The school owner, Khan Muhammad, said the building had experienced several days of rain before it collapsed.
He said construction of the school began around 18 months ago. According to his account, a room on the second floor collapsed first, bringing down the rooms below it.
Around 30 children were reportedly present in the affected classroom, the owner said. He also said the school had approximately 350 students enrolled.
The collapse trapped children and other people beneath the debris, prompting an emergency response from rescue workers and other authorities. The incident has raised serious concerns about school building safety and the measures needed to protect children while they are attending classes.
Owner says teachers were called to help evacuate children
Khan Muhammad said he had called teachers to help evacuate the children after the incident. However, the exact sequence of events before and after the collapse remains to be established through the official investigation.
Rescue workers searched through the rubble to reach those trapped inside the building. The injured were shifted to hospitals for treatment, while families waited for information about the children.
The tragedy has left the community grieving and raised questions about whether the building was safe for students.
Education officials raise concerns over building condition
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Education Secretary Inayatullah Waseem gave a different account of the building’s condition.
He said the school building was in a dilapidated state and that the education department had not received any information about its structural condition. His statement has raised further questions about whether the building had been properly inspected and whether any warning signs had been reported before the collapse.
The school owner has blamed recent rainfall, but this explanation has not been established as the confirmed cause. Investigators will need to examine the structure, construction work and other possible factors before concluding.
Government orders inquiry into school collapse
The provincial government has formed an inquiry committee to determine the cause of the building collapse.
Education Secretary Waseem said the committee would investigate the incident and establish the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. The findings could clarify whether heavy rainfall, structural weakness, construction problems or a combination of factors contributed to the collapse.
Authorities will also need to determine whether the building met the required safety standards and whether the relevant departments had carried out inspections. The inquiry is important not only for determining responsibility in this case but also for identifying measures that could help prevent similar incidents in the future.
School inspections ordered across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
The provincial government has also announced plans to inspect public and private educational institutions across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The move aims to identify buildings that may pose a risk to students and staff.
Also Read: School roof collapse kills children in Peshawar
Schools need safe classrooms, strong roofs and properly maintained structures. Regular inspections can help authorities identify cracks, structural weaknesses, and other warning signs before they lead to an emergency.
The effectiveness of the inspection drive will depend on how quickly the checks are completed and whether buildings found to be unsafe are repaired or closed until they meet safety requirements.
Government promises medical expenses for injured children
Education Secretary Waseem said the government would cover the medical expenses of children injured in the collapse. The commitment is intended to help affected families manage treatment costs while their children recover.
Authorities will also need to ensure that injured students receive timely medical care and that their families are kept informed about their condition.
For families who have lost children, support and accountability remain important concerns. A clear investigation and transparent communication will be essential as the community seeks answers.
Building safety remains a major concern
The Peshawar tragedy has highlighted the risks children face when school buildings are not properly maintained or inspected.
Heavy rain can place additional pressure on buildings, but rainfall alone cannot be confirmed as the cause of a collapse without supporting evidence. Investigators may need to examine the building’s structural condition, the quality of construction and other possible factors.
School owners and relevant authorities have a responsibility to ensure that educational buildings are safe for students and staff. Regular inspections, compliance with construction standards and timely repairs can help reduce the risk of similar incidents.
