Tragic aftermath: Five family members die as roof collapses in Malakand

Three others were also injured when a roof caved in following torrential rains.

BATKHELA: Five people of a family died and three others were injured when a roof caved in at Thana Chenai due to torrential rains late Sunday night.

Thana levies force official Riaz Khan said eight members of one family were trapped under the debris.

“The roof collapsed at around 2am due to the heavy downpour which continued for more than an hour,” Khan said. Locals rushed to the house after hearing the screams of those trapped beneath the dilapidated roof and announcements were made from the neighbourhood mosque, seeking volunteers to help remove the rubble.



A woman identified as Zargoona, 45, and her children Khoga Bibi, 10, three-year-old Zar Bibi, seven-year-old Ali Rehman and infant Azizur Rehman died in the incident. Their father Abdul Rehman and two siblings Habibur Rehman and nine-year-old Attaur Rehman were among the injured.

“The woman and children died before they were pulled out,” Khan added.

The injured victims were rushed to Civil Hospital Thana and District Headquarters Hospital where their condition was said to be out of danger.

The deceased were laid to rest in an Afghan refugee camp in Chakdara, Lower Dir. Civil society members have demanded compensation for the victims’ family.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 17^th, 2013.