At least 14 children were killed and several others injured after the roof of a private tuition centre collapsed in the Kahna area of Lahore on Tuesday, prompting a large-scale rescue operation, immediate traffic management measures and the detention of two persons, including the building owner.
14 children killed as tuition centre roof collapses in Lahore; owner among two detained
LAHORE, Jun 30 (APP):At least 14 children were killed and several others injured after the roof of a private tuition centre collapsed in the Kahna area of Lahore on Tuesday, prompting a large-scale rescue operation, immediate traffic management measures and the detention of two persons, including the building owner.
According to Rescue 1122, the Emergency Command and Control Centre received a call, reporting the collapse of a house roof being used as a tuition centre in Kahna Nau on Ferozepur Road. Rescue teams reached the scene within minutes and found that the roof, constructed with T-iron girders, had caved in, trapping children and a female teacher beneath the debris.
Rescuers launched an intensive search and rescue operation, pulling 19 victims and several children, from the rubble. The victims were administered CPR where required and shifted to nearby hospitals. Hospital sources later confirmed that 14 children had succumbed to their injuries, while several others remained under treatment.
The deceased children were identified as Tashbeeh (7), Fawad (8), Iman Fatima (11), Khadija (12), Murtaza (4), Rimsha (6), Ali (6), Arham (8), Dua (7), Abdullah (7), Abdullah (8), Salman (8), Urooj (9) and Mah Noor (8). The injured included Abiha (8), Faria (10), Murtaza (11), Ayan (8), Rabia (7) and 30-year-old female teacher Hamida Rehan.
Soon after the incident, DIG Operations Lahore Faisal Kamran reached the site to supervise the rescue operation. Police joined Rescue 1122 and the district administration in removing debris and shifting victims to hospitals. Later, the DIG visited Tehsil Headquarters Hospital Kahna, inquired after the injured children and met their families, expressing condolences and assuring them of full support.
The DIG said Lahore Police had taken two persons, including the building owner, into custody as part of the initial legal action. He said evidence was being collected to determine the cause of the collapse and fix responsibility, adding that strict legal action would be taken against those found negligent after completion of the investigation.
Meanwhile, Lahore Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Syed Abdul Rahim Shirazi visited the hospital to inquire after the injured children and sympathise with their families.
The CTO directed traffic police officers to ensure uninterrupted movement of ambulances and rescue vehicles between the accident site and hospitals. He also ordered special traffic arrangements around emergency wards of public and private hospitals to facilitate the swift transportation of victims.
Additional traffic police personnel were deployed at the accident site, on Ferozepur Road, major arteries and around hospitals, while officers remained in close coordination with rescue agencies to maintain smooth traffic flow during the emergency operation.
Shirazi said the Traffic Police were extending full cooperation to all departments to ensure rescue and relief activities. He also appealed to motorists to immediately give way to ambulances and other emergency vehicles to help save lives.
