At least 14 children dead as roof of Lahore tuition centre collapses

At least 14 children were killed, and eight others were injured after the roof of a house collapsed in Lahore's Kahna area on Tuesday, Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Imran Nazir confirmed.

Speaking to a private television channel, Nazir said a tragic incident occurred at a private tuition centre in Lahore's Kahna area when its roof collapsed, trapping 20 people under the rubble.

"Twenty people were pulled from the debris and shifted to nearby THQ Hospital Kahna. Unfortunately, 14 children of different age groups were brought to the hospital dead," the minister said.

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He said five children were brought to the hospital with injuries, two of whom had since been discharged, while the remaining children were out of danger. The teacher was shifted to a specialised healthcare hospital after her condition was found to be critical.

Describing the incident as an eye-opener, Nazir said the rescue operation had been completed, and the government would take action against those whose negligence led to the tragedy.

He said Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz would not spare anyone responsible for the incident and had already ordered an inquiry into the roof collapse.

Lahore Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Operations Faisal Kamran also confirmed the toll while addressing the media on the occasion. "Eight children and one teacher are hospitalised, who are injured. Apart from that, the death of 14 children is confirmed."

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He said it was a single-storey building with a small room at the top with a roof of TR girders. The DIG added that some work was underway on the roof and the number of labourers exceeded its strength, which caused a girder to break, triggering the collapse atop what he said was a tuition centre.

"We have detained five people who were running the tuition centre and are interrogating them regarding in what capacity the centre was being run, why safety was not considered and other aspects."

The DIG said the focus at this time was on the provision of medical aid to the injured, adding that an investigation was underway. He said the deceased children were locals of the area and assured the media of proceedings and action against those responsible.

Meanwhile, Punjab chief minister took notice of the incident and directed authorities to ensure the best possible medical treatment for the injured and expedite the rescue operation.

The chief minister also sought a report on the incident and ordered officials to determine responsibility for the roof collapse.

CM Maryam directed provincial ministers to immediately reach the site of the incident.

On the chief minister's instructions, Adviser to the chief minister Zeeshan Malik arrived at THQ Hospital Kahna.

A statement from the Edhi spokesperson said the roof of a room in a house near Qurban School on Ferozepur Road collapsed suddenly, burying several children under the debris.

Edhi ambulances and volunteers also reached the scene and joined the rescue operation to recover those trapped.

PM Shehbaz, Bilawal express grief over incident

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over the loss of lives in the roof collapse at a tuition centre in Lahore's Kahna area.

The prime minister expressed deep sorrow over the deaths of the children, prayed for the departed souls and extended his condolences to the bereaved families.

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He also prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured in the incident and directed authorities to ensure they received all possible medical treatment.

Separately, Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed condolences to the families of the children who lost their lives in the roof collapse.

"I am deeply saddened by the tragic incident near Kachwana Road in Kahna," Bilawal said, urging rescue volunteers, teachers and others involved in the operation to "perform their duties to the best of their ability".

He also expressed solidarity with the grieving parents of the children who died in the incident.

Meanwhile, Punjab Child Protection and Welfare Bureau Chairperson Sarah Ahmed expressed deep sorrow over the roof collapse at the tuition centre in Kahna.

"The deaths and injuries of innocent children are deeply heartbreaking," Ahmed said. "We stand with the affected and bereaved families in this hour of grief."

She directed the Child Protection and Welfare Bureau's team to immediately meet the affected families.

"The affected children and their families will be provided with every possible psychological, social and legal assistance," she said.

She also expressed heartfelt condolences to the families of the children who died and called for the provision of the best possible medical treatment to the injured.

Ahmed said negligence that endangered children's lives could not be tolerated and called for a transparent investigation into the incident, with strict legal action against those responsible.

She also called for an immediate safety audit of all tuition centres and educational institutions.

"There can be no compromise on the lives and safety of children. Effective measures are essential to prevent such tragedies in the future," she said.