LAHORE: A devastating incident occurred in Lahore’s Kahna neighborhood when the roof of a local tuition center suddenly gave way, resulting in the deaths of at least 14 children.
Reports indicate that approximately 35 students were inside the classroom at the time of the collapse, which buried many beneath heavy debris. Rescue teams managed to recover 20 injured children and one teacher from the wreckage and transported them to nearby hospitals. Among the injured, more than 12 children aged between 4 and 10 years are in critical condition.
Rescue operations are ongoing, with workers continuing to sift through the debris. Local residents have also joined efforts to assist rescue teams. The initial death count was eight but has since increased to 14, confirmed by hospital officials.
Farooq Ahmed, spokesperson for Rescue 1122, stated that the collapse occurred during ongoing construction work on the roof. Emergency services responded swiftly after receiving the call and have deployed heavy machinery to aid in the rescue process.
The Punjab Health Minister has declared a state of emergency in hospitals to accommodate expected casualties and has instructed medical staff to remain on high alert.
Emotional scenes unfolded outside hospitals as anxious parents and relatives anxiously waited for updates on their loved ones.
This tragedy comes shortly after a similar incident in Sindh’s Umerkot district, where a wall collapse at a school resulted in the deaths of three young girls. Police reports suggest the girls were returning from a madrasa when the wall suddenly crumbled, trapping them underneath debris.
