In brief
A BBC‑acquired recording captures a distinct “cracking” sound moments before a roof in a Peshawar school collapsed, killing more than 30 pupils and a teacher. Hospital officials report a dozen additional injuries, some critical, while rescue teams search for trapped children. The collapse follows heavy monsoon rains that may have strained the building’s structure. Investigations are now examining whether the school met safety standards, and authorities urge parents to verify building safety before allowing their children to attend. The incident underscores rising concerns over infrastructure integrity in Pakistan’s schools.
A recording played by the BBC shows a distinct “cracking” sound minutes before a roof in a school in Peshawar, Pakistan, tore down, killing more than 30 pupils and a teacher.
Hospital officials in the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa report that more than a dozen other students were injured, some in critical condition. Rescue teams are searching for children who may still be trapped under the rubble.
Sources say the collapse came after a period of intense monsoon rainfall that many experts say has increased the risk of structural failure in older buildings in the region.
The video, which was first posted on social media before the BBC acquired it, shows the building’s roof giving way in a dramatic, slumping motion after the resonant crack.
Investigations are now underway to determine whether the building met safety standards, and authorities have urged parents to ensure children are not in schools with questionable construction.
