14 Children Killed in Lahore Tuition Centre Roof Collapse
News Desk
Lahore: A roof collapse at a private tuition centre in Lahore’s Kahna area claimed the lives of at least 14 children on Tuesday, prompting authorities to launch an investigation and raising fresh concerns over building safety standards.
According to Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Imran Nazir, 19 children were brought to Kahna Tehsil Headquarters (THQ) Hospital after the incident. Fourteen children succumbed to their injuries, while two were discharged after receiving treatment. Four others remain under medical care.
Rescue officials said more than 30 children were attending classes inside the tuition centre when the roof suddenly caved in. Rescue teams completed the operation after pulling victims from the debris.
Initial investigations indicate that construction work was underway on the building’s upper floor while classes were being conducted on the ground floor. Police said the ongoing construction is one of the key aspects being examined to determine the cause of the collapse.
Authorities have detained five people, including the building owner, as investigators seek to establish whether negligence or violations of construction regulations contributed to the tragedy.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over the loss of young lives, offering condolences to the bereaved families and directing officials to ensure the best possible treatment for the injured.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also sought an immediate report on the incident and instructed the relevant departments to provide all necessary medical assistance to the injured children.
The tragedy has once again drawn attention to Pakistan’s recurring problem of unsafe buildings and weak enforcement of construction regulations. Roof and building collapses have repeatedly claimed lives across the country due to poor construction practices and inadequate safety oversight.
In July last year, a five-storey residential building collapsed in Karachi’s Lyari area, killing 27 people and injuring 10 others.
