At least 14 children were killed and several others injured Tuesday when the roof of a tuition center collapsed in the Kahna area of Lahore, police said.
Faisal Kamran, Lahore’s deputy inspector general of operations, confirmed the toll to Dawn. An earlier list from Lahore General Hospital put eight of the children between the ages of 5 and 16.
Children were still trapped and in critical condition, a Rescue 1122 spokesperson said, relaying the team’s report to Emergency Services headquarters. The search was still going as of the latest update.
“The children are very young in age, and there were two rooms in use. The ceilings collapsed and trapped the children.” — Farooq Ahmed, Rescue 1122 spokesperson
The Edhi rescue service, also working the scene, said a room’s roof in the residence came down without warning. Early information pointed to TR girders in its construction, the service said.
Police have arrested the contractor who recently built the house, Kamran said. Part of it was still under construction, and laborers were working when the roof fell.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed police and district government authorities to determine the role of those found responsible and to pursue criminal proceedings.
Health authorities declared an emergency at the nearby Lahore General Hospital, directing senior administrators, doctors, nurses and paramedical staff to attend to the injured children without delay.
Tariq Mahmood, chief executive officer of the Lahore District Education Authority, said the building held a private tuition center run by a local woman. Officials were heading to the site and would act strictly against those involved, he said.
Between 30 to 35 children were present when the incident occurred, according to initial reports.
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