At least 15 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 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 underway, while injured children were moved to the THQ Kahna for treatment.

Two held, probe ordered

Police said two 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, governor, law minister express grief

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan and Punjab Law Minister Rana Iqbal separately expressed grief over the loss of lives in the incident.

The prime minister offered condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the departed children. He directed authorities to ensure the injured were provided immediate and the best possible medical treatment.

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.

Governor 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.

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