At least 14 children died after the roof of a tuition centre collapsed in Lahore’s Kahna area on Tuesday, with rescue operations nearing completion as authorities took three people, including the building’s owner, into custody.

Medical sources said the children killed in the collapse were aged between around four and 12.

The roof of the tuition centre, built using T-iron girders, had caved in suddenly, trapping a large number of children beneath the debris.

Rescue 1122 said initial reports had put the number of trapped children at eight to ten, but it later emerged that around 30 children were present at the centre at the time of the collapse.

Kahna Tehsil Headquarters said six injured were in stable condition.

DIG Operations Faisal Kamran reached the site and reviewed the rescue operation, which was being carried out jointly by police, Rescue 1122 and the district administration.

Officials said work to clear the debris and shift survivors to safety was underway, while injured children were moved to the THQ Kahna for treatment.

Three held, probe ordered

Police said three people, including the building’s owner, were taken into custody after the collapse, and that an investigation had been launched to determine the cause of the incident.

DIG Operations Faisal Kamran reached the site and reviewed the rescue operation, which was being carried out jointly by police, Rescue 1122 and the district administration, and was briefed by officials on the relief activities.

Work to clear the debris and shift survivors to safety continued at the site.

Injured children were moved to the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital for treatment.

The DIG later visited the hospital to inquire after the injured children and met with affected families, offering condolences. He assured the families of full support, saying evidence was being collected to determine the cause of the collapse and that impartial legal action would be taken against those found responsible.

PM, CM Punjab, governor, law minister react

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over the loss of lives in the incident, offering condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the departed children. He directed authorities to ensure the injured were provided immediate and the best possible medical treatment.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also expressed deep grief over the incident, saying that as a mother, she could understand the families’ pain, which words could not describe. She conveyed heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the bereaved families.

The chief minister said rescue and relief operations began immediately after the incident was reported, with 20 children pulled to safety during the operation.

She termed the deaths of 14 children an irreparable tragedy, and said those responsible would not be shown any leniency and would be brought to justice.

CM Maryam ordered a complete, transparent and impartial investigation into the incident, saying strict legal action would be taken against anyone found guilty of negligence.

She also directed a comprehensive review of the safety standards of educational institution buildings across the province and ordered that an effective strategy be devised to prevent such tragedies in future.

Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan said conducting educational activities in dilapidated buildings was tantamount to playing with lives, and called for those responsible to be identified and brought to justice. He said no effort should be spared in providing medical treatment to the injured children.

Punjab Law Minister Rana Iqbal also conveyed condolences to the families of the deceased and directed authorities to provide the injured with prompt, high-quality medical care.

He ordered a transparent and impartial investigation into the incident and directed strict legal action against anyone found guilty of negligence, saying those who endanger the lives of children would not be spared and would be held accountable under the law.

This is a developing story… Follow for more…