Roof Collapse in Lahore Kills 14 Children at Tutoring Centre
At least 14 children were killed and several others injured when the roof of a private tutoring centre collapsed in Lahore, Pakistan, on Tuesday. The incident occurred in a densely populated residential area, prompting a rescue operation and an investigation into possible negligence.
Punjab's emergency service confirmed that rescuers recovered the bodies of children aged between five and 16, with most under nine years old, along with a 30-year-old female teacher from the rubble of the after-school facility. The tutoring centre was operating inside a privately owned residential building.
Unregistered Centre Operating Under Dilapidated Roof
Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari stated that preliminary reports indicated the centre was unregistered and operating under a dilapidated roof. Such tutoring centres are common across Pakistan, where children attend extra lessons outside regular school hours. Bokhari added, "If negligence, carelessness or any violation of the law is established, those responsible will face strict legal action."
A witness told AFP that workers were repairing tiles on the building when the roof gave way. The uncle of one of the victims said, "The roof was in poor shape," and noted that repair work was being carried out while the children studied.
Rescue and Investigation Underway
Rescue workers and civilians used spades and their hands to dig through dirt and rubble in the partially collapsed building. Geo News aired images of uniformed rescuers at the scene. Authorities promised a transparent investigation, and provincial police said on X that two people had been taken into custody over the disaster. Police were collecting evidence at the scene.
Lahore Commissioner Marryam Khan said in a statement that "those responsible for the incident will be found through a transparent, unbiased and immediate investigation." Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured, directing authorities to provide every possible medical assistance.
Building Collapses Common in Pakistan
Roof and building collapses are common across Pakistan, mainly due to poor safety standards and unsafe construction materials. In July last year, 27 people were killed and 10 injured when a five-storey building collapsed in the Lyari area of Karachi. The latest incident highlights ongoing safety concerns in the country.
