Governor promises payouts to families after Peshawar school roof collapse
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has promised 1 million rupees to the family of each child killed in the Peshawar school roof collapse, Arab News and The Nation reported. Those papers said 34 students and a teacher died. A police report lists 30 children and a teacher, The Express Tribune reported.
Faisal Karim Kundi, governor of Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, has announced compensation for victims of Thursday's school roof collapse in Peshawar, Arab News and The Nation reported. The families of children who died will receive 1 million rupees (about $3,610) each, and people who were injured will get 300,000 rupees (about $1,083) each, Arab News reported. The Nation reported the same amounts.
"No one can replace a child, and financial assistance cannot ease the grief of parents," the governor said in a statement from his office, according to Arab News. He also ordered officials to identify the officers who issued no-objection certificates to schools and to report within 15 days, Arab News reported.
The death toll differs by source. Rescue officials and a spokesperson for Lady Reading Hospital said 35 people were killed, 34 students and a female teacher, Arab News reported. The Nation also reported that 34 students and a teacher died and that 52 people were injured. The police first information report lists 30 children and a female teacher killed, The Express Tribune reported, while The Nation reported that the report cites 34 students and a teacher.
Relatives of the victims are calling for a thorough investigation, The Nation reported, a day after dozens of victims were buried. The school's owner was arrested after the police report was filed, and police said they are working to arrest the others named in it, including shareholders and the building contractor, The Nation reported. The report alleges that substandard materials were used. A police report opens a case and is not a court charge.
Arab News reported that one family lost five children, cousins aged 7 to 11. "There is silence all around," an uncle said, according to Arab News. Provincial officials have ordered safety surveys of school buildings, Arab News reported.
What we know: The governor has announced payments to victims' families, and officials put the toll at 35.
What we don't: Why accounts of the police report's toll differ, and whether anyone will be charged in court.
Where outlets agree Arab News and The Nation report that the provincial governor announced 1 million rupees for each dead child's family and 300,000 rupees for each injured person.
Where they differ Arab News and The Nation say officials put the toll at 34 students and a teacher, and The Nation says the police report names 34, while The Express Tribune says the police report lists 30 children and a teacher.