School roof collapse in Peshawar kills 34 children and a teacher

At least thirty-four children and a teacher died when the roof of the private Al-Khair school collapsed in Peshawar, Pakistan, on October 15. More than fifty people were injured, authorities and a hospital official told the Associated Press.

Rescue service spokesperson Bilal Faizi said the roofs of two classrooms collapsed while second- and third-grade pupils were inside with their teachers. About a hundred specialists took part in the rescue operation.

Lady Reading Hospital spokesperson Mohammad Asim said children among the dead and wounded were aged from six to fourteen. Some of the injured were in critical condition, and the hospital declared an emergency.

Faizi said everyone trapped beneath the rubble had been brought out. Peshawar police chief Saeed Ahmed said the school's owner had been detained as part of the investigation.

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif offered condolences to the bereaved families.