Unforeseen incidents: Lahore roof collapse leaves 10 injured

In a similar incident, 8 people sustained injuries as a hotel in Rawalpindi caves in

ISLAMABAD/ LAHORE: Around ten people sustained injuries on Friday when the roof of a two-story shop in Lahore caved in. The shop, Rasheed Garments, was located in Anarkali area opposite to Al-Karim plaza, a building where a fire had killed around thirteen people in December last year.

After the incident, authorities started a rescue operation. The injured were later taken to Mayo Hospital, where they were reported to be in a stable condition.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, District Coordination Officer Captain (retd) Muhammad Usman said some labourers were working in the building and were demolishing it manually, when the incident took place.

"We will probe into the matter and punish whoever is found guilty," he said, adding that the collapse was not triggered by recent showers.

Ghulam Rasool, a shopkeeper who witnessed the incident, said that there was an ongoing dispute between owner of the building and its tenant, who was demanding renovation and reconstruction of the shop.

The dilapidated building was unfit for trade activities. Earlier, a rescue official said the rescue work in the area proved very difficult due to encroachments.

Incident in Rawalpindi

Meanwhile, a two story hotel building also collapsed in Rawalpindi's Ganjmandi area, leaving at least eight people injured.

According to a rescue officer, the hotel was located in Sherdil market near Ganjmandi. After the incident ,rescue teams reached the spot and shifted the injured to the District Headquarters Hospital.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 4^th, 2015.