The death toll from a tuition centre roof collapse in Lahore’s Kahna area rose to 15 on Tuesday, with authorities releasing an official list of victims as police took two people, including the building’s owner, into custody.

Tehsil Headquarters Hospital (THQ) Kahna released the names and ages of those killed: Abdullah s/o Mustafa (8), Salman s/o Waseem (8), Auroj d/o Mustafa (9), Mehnoor d/o Farooq (8), Tashbeeh d/o Shehzada (7), Fawad s/o Muhammad Abid (8), Eman Fatima d/o Mustafa (11), Khadija d/o Waseem (12), Auroj d/o Murtaza (6), Artaza (4), Ramsha (6), Ali s/o Farman (6), Arham s/o Hassan Ali (8), Dua d/o Gulfam (7) and Abdullah s/o Asghar (7).

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.

THQ Kahna said six injured persons were in stable condition.

Among those undergoing treatment were eight-year-old Abiha, ten-year-old Fariya and 11-year-old Murtaza, while eight-year-old Ayan and seven-year-old Rabia were also reported stable. Thirty-year-old Humaida Reehan was said to be out of danger.

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 under way, while injured children were moved to the THQ Kahna for treatment.

The DIG also visited the hospital to inquire after the injured children and met with affected families, offering condolences and assurances of full support.

Authorities said evidence was being collected to determine the cause of the collapse, with officials vowing impartial legal action against those found responsible.

Bodies of the deceased children began being returned to their homes from hospital, triggering scenes of grief among family members.

Punjab Law Minister Rana Iqbal expressed deep sorrow over the incident and conveyed condolences to the bereaved families.

He directed that injured children be provided immediate and the best possible medical care, and ordered a transparent and impartial investigation into the incident.

He directed strict legal action against anyone found guilty of negligence, saying those who endanger the lives of children would not be spared.

Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan also expressed grief over the loss of young lives in the incident, saying no effort should be spared in providing medical treatment to the injured.

He 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.

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