Poor Construction: Seven of a family killed as roof collapses

SWAT: All seven members of a family were killed when the roof of a house caved in at Gut area of Madyan valley in Swat. The incident happened early on Thursday when the villagers were asleep, according to locals. Azmat Ali said he woke up after hearing a huge blast and came out of his house running. He saw that his neighbour Ghani Rehman’s house had been “completely destroyed”. Ali said the villagers rushed to uncover the debris and recovered the bodies of Rehman, his wife and five children. “The tragic incident spread a wave of gloom in the village,” said Ali, adding that the local government has not even contacted the bereaved family for consolation.

According to the local administration, majority of the houses in the hilly area are of made of mud and are prone to collapsing.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 25^th, 2011.