At least 14 children were killed and several others injured when the roof of a tutoring centre collapsed in Lahore, Pakistan, on Tuesday. The incident occurred at a private after-school facility that local officials said was unregistered and operating inside a privately owned residential building.
Victims and Rescue Efforts
Punjab's emergency service reported that rescuers found the bodies of children aged five to 16, with most under nine years old, along with a 30-year-old female teacher under the rubble. Rescue workers and civilians used spades and their hands to dig through debris in the partially collapsed building, as shown in images aired by Geo News.
Investigation and Custody
Punjab information minister Azma Bokhari stated that preliminary reports indicated the centre was unregistered and the roof was dilapidated. She said, "If negligence, carelessness or any violation of the law is established, those responsible will face strict legal action." Provincial police announced on X that two people had been taken into custody in connection with the disaster. Police are collecting evidence at the scene, which is in a tightly packed residential area.
Witness Accounts and Context
A witness told AFP that workers were repairing tiles on the building when the roof gave way. The uncle of one victim said, "The roof was in poor shape," adding that repairs were being carried out while children studied. Lahore's commissioner, Marryam Khan, promised a "transparent, unbiased and immediate investigation."
Government Response
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief and directed authorities to provide all possible medical assistance to the injured. Roof and building collapses are common in Pakistan due to poor safety standards and unsafe construction materials. In July last year, 27 people died when a five-storey building collapsed in Karachi's Lyari area.
