The death toll from the collapse of the roof of the private school Al-Khair Education Centre in Dir Colony, Peshawar, Pakistan, on Thursday morning has risen to 34. They include 33 children aged six to 14 and a 25-year-old teacher, Samreen Bibi.
According to rescue officials, rescue work has been completed, while police have confirmed that the school’s principal has been arrested. Police also said that according to the initial investigation the school building was weak, which caused the accident.
According to rescue officials at the scene and BBC correspondent Bilal Ahmed, the school apparently had prefabricated roofs installed and there was no solid concrete slab.
According to a senior Peshawar police officer, the school building was dilapidated; the roofs could not bear the weight of the students and collapsed.
