At least 14 children were killed and several others injured after the roof of a private tuition centre collapsed in Lahore on Tuesday, police and rescue officials said. The incident occurred in the Kahna area where dozens of children were attending tuition classes when the classroom roof suddenly caved in, trapping students beneath the debris.
Rescue and Casualties
Farooq Ahmed, a spokesperson for emergency service Rescue 1122, told reporters that after the search and rescue operation was completed, a female teacher and eight children were taken to Lahore General Hospital (LGH) with multiple injuries. The rescue official said that 14 children died in the incident, while around 10 injured children remained in critical condition, fearing that the death toll might further rise. The official added that rescue operations were continuing to ensure no one remained trapped under the debris.
According to hospital authorities, 14 of the injured later succumbed to their injuries, while five remain under treatment. Rescue officials said the victims include 12 children aged between five and nine, while two girls were 11 and 16 years old. Among those killed are seven girls.
Building Status and Arrest
Deputy Inspector General of Police Operations of Lahore Faisal Kamran told reporters that the contractor who recently constructed the building had been arrested, saying that part of the building was still under construction, with labourers working at the site when the roof collapsed. A spokesman for the Edhi Ambulance service, which also took part in the rescue operation, said that the roof “collapsed suddenly”. He added that preliminary information revealed that the roof had been constructed using TR girders.
Government Response
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow over the loss of young lives, extended condolences to the bereaved families, prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured, and directed authorities to ensure they receive the best possible medical treatment. Reportedly, the Emergency Command and Control Centre received an emergency call at 4:43 pm, reporting that the roof of a house had caved in and several people were trapped beneath the rubble.
Rescue teams reached the scene and launched a search and rescue operation. Officials said the collapsed roof, constructed with T-irons and girders, buried students and their teacher who were attending tuition classes. Rescue workers pulled 19 people, including children and a 30-year-old female teacher, from the debris in critical condition and shifted them to nearby hospitals while administering CPR.
