35 killed in school roof collapse in northwestern Pakistan

Most of the children killed were under 13, and the dead included a female teacher, local broadcaster Geo News reported, citing hospital officials.

A rescue official said the roof of an upper floor collapsed onto the first-floor roof, which then caved in on students in their classrooms.

The administration of Lady Reading Hospital also said that 20 children were injured.

Rescue 1122 Peshawar earlier said rescue teams had pulled 47 children out of the rubble and taken them to hospitals.

The rescue operation was nearly complete, with 95% of the debris cleared, officials said earlier, adding that search efforts were continuing for children who might still be trapped beneath the rubble of the Al-Khair Education Center.

Capital City Police Officer Mian Saeed said that following the incident, the owner of the private school has been arrested.

Building collapses are frequent in Pakistan, largely due to lax safety regulations and the use of poor-quality construction materials.

In June, 14 children died when the roof of a private tuition center collapsed in Lahore.