LAHORE: At least 14 children were killed and several others injured after the roof of a tuition centre collapsed in Lahore’s Kahna area on Tuesday, officials said.
Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Imran Nazir said 19 children were shifted to Kahna Tehsil Headquarters (THQ) Hospital following the incident.
He confirmed that 14 children died, while two children were discharged after receiving treatment and four others remained under medical care.
How did the incident occur?
According to police, construction work was underway on the upper floor of the building while children were attending classes on the ground floor when the roof collapsed.
Rescue officials said more than 30 children were inside the tuition centre at the time of the incident.
Rescue teams completed the operation after clearing the debris.
What action have authorities taken?
Police have taken five people into custody, including the owner of the building, as investigations into the cause of the collapse continue.
Authorities are examining whether negligence or violations of building safety regulations contributed to the incident.
How did the government respond?
Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over the loss of lives and extended condolences to the bereaved families. He directed authorities to ensure the injured children receive the best possible medical treatment.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also sought a report from the relevant authorities and instructed officials to provide the injured with the best available healthcare.
How common are such incidents?
Building and roof collapses occur periodically in Pakistan, often due to weak enforcement of construction standards and poor-quality building materials.
In July last year, at least 27 people were killed and 10 others injured when a five-storey building collapsed in the Lyari area of Karachi.