At least 14 children were killed after the roof of a tuition centre collapsed in Lahore’s Kahna area on Tuesday, according to police officials. The tragic incident occurred while students were attending classes, triggering an immediate rescue operation involving emergency services and local authorities.
Rescue officials said that 20 to 25 children, along with one female teacher, were inside the tuition centre when the roof suddenly gave way. Several students were trapped beneath the rubble, prompting rescuers to launch a large-scale search and recovery effort.
Rescue Operation Underway
Emergency response teams rushed to the scene shortly after the collapse and began clearing debris in an effort to locate survivors. Rescue officials confirmed that five to six children had been pulled from the rubble, while search operations continued as authorities worked to determine whether more victims remained trapped.
The injured were shifted to nearby hospitals for medical treatment, while heavy machinery and additional rescue personnel were deployed to speed up the operation.
Officials cautioned that the casualty toll could change as rescue efforts progressed and more information became available.
Authorities Investigating Cause of Collapse
The exact cause of the roof collapse has not yet been determined. Authorities are expected to launch a formal investigation to establish whether structural weaknesses, poor construction, or any other factors contributed to the incident.
Officials said a detailed assessment of the building would be carried out after the rescue operation is completed, and appropriate legal action would be taken if negligence is found.
Safety Concerns Raised
The tragedy has renewed concerns about the structural safety of private educational facilities and tuition centres, particularly those operating in older or inadequately maintained buildings.
Authorities are expected to review the circumstances surrounding the incident and assess whether existing building safety regulations were properly implemented to help prevent similar tragedies in the future.
