Two injured children released; teacher transferred to a specialized hospital in critical condition
At least 14 children were killed and eight others injured after the roof of a house collapsed on Tuesday in Kahna area of Lahore, Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Imran Nazir confirmed.
Speaking to a private television channel, Nazir said a tragic incident occurred at a private tuition center in Kahna area of Lahore, when its roof collapsed, trapping 20 people under the rubble.
“Twenty people were pulled out from the rubble and transferred to the nearby THQ hospital in Kahna. Unfortunately, 14 children of different age groups were brought dead to the hospital,” the minister said.
He said five children were taken to hospital with injuries, two of whom had since been released from hospital, while the other children were out of danger. The teacher was transferred to a specialist hospital after her condition was found to be critical.
Terming the incident eye-opening, Nazir said the rescue operation was over and the government would take action against those whose negligence led to the tragedy.
He said Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz would not spare any of those responsible for the incident and had already ordered a probe into the roof collapse.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Lahore Operations Faisal Kamran also confirmed the toll while speaking to the media on the occasion. “Eight children and one teacher are hospitalized and injured. In addition, 14 children are confirmed dead.”
He said it was a single story building with a small room on top with a TR beam roof. The DIG added that work was underway on the roof and the number of workers exceeded their strength, causing a beam to break, triggering the collapse at the top of what he described as a tuition center.
“We have arrested five people who ran the tuition center and are questioning them about the quality of management of the center, why security was not taken into account and other aspects.”
The DIG said the current focus was on providing medical aid to the injured, adding that an investigation was underway. He said the deceased children were residents of the area and assured the media that those responsible would be pursued and prosecuted.
Meanwhile, the Punjab Chief Minister took notice of the incident and directed the authorities to ensure best possible medical treatment to the injured and expedite the rescue operation.
The chief minister also sought a report on the incident and ordered the authorities to ascertain responsibility for the roof collapse.
CM Maryam ordered the provincial ministers to immediately visit the incident site.
On the instructions of the Chief Minister, Advisor to the Chief Minister Zeeshan Malik arrived at THQ Hospital in Kahna.
A statement from Edhi’s spokesperson said the roof of a room of a house near Qurban School on Ferozepur Road suddenly collapsed, burying several children under the rubble.
Ambulances and Edhi volunteers also arrived at the scene and joined the rescue operation to recover the trapped people.
PM Shehbaz, Bilawal express grief over incident
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed grief over the loss of lives caused by the roof collapse of a tuition center in Kahna area of Lahore.
The Prime Minister expressed deep sadness over the death of the children, prayed for the souls of the deceased and offered condolences to the bereaved families.
He also prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured in the incident and asked authorities to ensure that they receive all possible medical attention.
Meanwhile, Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed condolences to the families of the children who lost their lives in the roof collapse.
“I am deeply saddened by the tragic incident that occurred near Kachwana Road in Kahna,” Bilawal said, calling on volunteer rescuers, teachers and others involved in the operation to “perform their duties to the best of their abilities.”
He also expressed solidarity with the grieving parents of the children who died in the incident.
Meanwhile, Punjab Child Welfare and Welfare Bureau chairperson Sarah Ahmed expressed deep sadness over the roof collapse of Kahna tuition center.
“The deaths and injuries of innocent children are deeply heartbreaking,” Ahmed said. “We stand alongside the affected and bereaved families in this hour of mourning.”
She ordered the Child Welfare and Welfare Bureau team to immediately meet the affected families.
“The children concerned and their families will benefit from all possible psychological, social and legal assistance,” she said.
She also expressed sincere condolences to the families of the deceased children and called for the provision of the best possible medical care to the injured.
Ahmed said negligence endangering the lives of children could not be tolerated and called for a transparent investigation into the incident, with strict legal action against those responsible.
She also called for an immediate security audit of all tuition centers and educational establishments.
“There can be no compromise on the lives and safety of children. Effective measures are essential to prevent such tragedies in the future,” she said.
