In brief
A tragic roof collapse at a private tuition centre in Kahna, Lahore, has killed 14 children under the age of ten. Rescue teams reached the scene within an hour, retrieving many survivors between ages seven and eleven, while five others remain injured. Amid investigations, two individuals were arrested, and local authorities report the roof was structurally compromised, possibly due to ongoing repair work. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif condemned the tragedy and pledged thorough legal action. The incident raises urgent questions about building safety regulations and oversight in educational facilities.
A roof collapsed in the Kahna suburb of Lahore, Pakistan, crushing the heads of 14 children who were inside a private tuition centre. Authorities confirmed the victims were all under the age of ten.
The emergency services received a call at 16:45 local time stating that the building had already collapsed. Rescue 1122 units were on site within an hour, retrieving most of the survivors, who were between seven and eleven years old. Five more people are believed to be injured.
2 people have been arrested as part of the initial investigation, as the building’s roof was reportedly in poor condition with repairs underway when the structure failed.
"Suddenly the roof collapsed on top of quite a few children," said the man who had his niece among the deceased, noting that extra weight was being placed on the roof during the repair work. Other residents expressed uncertainty about where to give condolences, underlining how shocking the catastrophe reverberated across the neighbourhood.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issued a statement expressing that he had "prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured and directed the authorities to provide them with every possible medical assistance." Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif called it a "heartbreaking tragedy".
The government committee investigating the collapse emphasised that anyone found accountable will face the full force of law, reflecting a commitment to uphold safety standards in educational and residential buildings.
