Daijiworld Media Network - Peshawar

Peshawar, Oct 15: At least 22 people, including 21 students and a female teacher, were killed and 21 others injured after the roof of a private school collapsed in Afridi Abad locality of Peshawar, Pakistan, on Thursday.

The incident occurred at Al Khair School while students were attending classes. The roof suddenly gave way, trapping several children beneath the rubble.

Lady Reading Hospital spokesperson Muhammad Asim told Dawn that the deceased students included 18 boys and two girls aged between seven and 12. Five of the injured were in critical condition.

An emergency was declared at Lady Reading Hospital to manage the casualties. Peshawar Deputy Commissioner Afaq Wazir confirmed the incident and said rescue teams were working to clear the debris and search for anyone who might still be trapped.

In an earlier update, the hospital had reported 17 student deaths and said all the children were aged 13 or younger. It had also received 17 injured students, with the casualty figures subsequently updated.