At least 14 schoolchildren were killed and eight others injured when the roof of a tutoring centre collapsed in Lahore, Pakistan, emergency officials confirmed. The incident occurred on the outskirts of the city, prompting a large-scale rescue operation.
Collapse and Rescue Efforts
Senior police official Faisal Kamran stated that the roof of an unfinished second floor caved in due to poor-quality construction. The tutoring centre was housed in an aging building. Rescuers continued searching through the rubble amid fears that more children could be trapped. Witnesses reported that ambulances and rescue workers rushed to the scene, and residents used shovels and bare hands to remove debris.
Arrests and Official Response
The owner of the tutoring centre and another person were arrested, according to Kamran. Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari expressed grief over the tragedy, offering condolences to the victims' families and praying for the injured. He emphasized the need for effective safety measures to prevent similar incidents. Building collapses are common in Pakistan due to poorly enforced construction standards and use of substandard materials to cut costs.
Community Grief and Anger
Hours after the collapse, bodies were handed over to families, leading to scenes of anguish outside hospitals and in the neighbourhood. Most victims lived nearby. Funeral prayers were expected later on Tuesday. Grief mixed with anger as residents demanded stern punishment for the owner, blaming him for operating classes in an unsafe building. Resident Zafar Iqbal said, “We don’t know whose home to visit first to offer condolences for the loss of their children.”
Context
Lahore is the capital of Punjab province, where many parents send children to private tutoring centres in the afternoon and evening. The incident highlights ongoing safety concerns in Pakistan's construction sector.
