10 people rescued as roof of Lahore plaza collapsed

LAHORE: Rescue officials evacuated ten people who were trapped under debris as the roof of a two-storey building in Anarkali Bazar, Lahore collapsed on Friday evening.

Edhi spokersperson Younis Bhatti confirmed that 10 people were rescued from the debris, and given first aid as they received minor injuries only.

A few labourers were working to demolish the building when its roof collapsed, DCO Lahore Muhammad Usman told The Express Tribune.

“The roof was being removed manually,” he said, adding that the incident will be investigated.

Ghulam Rasool, a shopkeeper in the area and one of the eyewitnesses told The Express Tribune that a dispute was going on between building’s owner and the tenant, adding that the building was not fit to carry out business activities, as it was in a dilapidated condition.

The building is right opposite to Al Karim Centre, which caught fire earlier this year, and is at least 50 -60 years old.

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif also took notice of the incident, and had asked the authorities concerned to speed up the rescue operation, and evacuate the people trapped under debris at the earliest.