Two injured children discharged; Professor transferred to specialized health hospital in critical condition
At least 14 children were killed and eight others injured after the roof of a house collapsed in Kahna area of Lahore on Tuesday, Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Imran Nazir confirmed.
Speaking to a private television channel, Nazir said a tragic incident occurred at a private educational center in Kahna area of Lahore when its roof collapsed, trapping 20 people under the rubble.
“Twenty people were rescued from the rubble and taken to the nearby THQ Kahna hospital. Unfortunately, 14 children of different ages were brought dead to the hospital,” the minister said.
Five children were taken to hospital with injuries, two of whom had already been discharged, while the others were out of danger, he said. The teacher was taken to a specialized hospital after her condition was found to be critical.
Describing the incident as an eye-opener, Nazir said the rescue operation had been completed and the government would take action against those whose negligence led to the tragedy.
He said Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz would not forgive anyone responsible for the incident and had already ordered an inquiry into the roof collapse.
Lahore Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Operations Faisal Kamran also confirmed the number of casualties while addressing the media on the occasion. “Eight children and a teacher are hospitalized and injured. In addition, 14 children have been confirmed dead.”
He said it was a single story building with a small room on top with a TR beam ceiling. The DIG added that some work was being carried out on the roof and the number of workers exceeded their strength, causing a beam to break, leading to the collapse onto what he said was an educational centre.
“We have detained five people who ran the educational center and are questioning them about the quality of the center’s functioning, why security and other aspects were not taken into account.”
The DIG said the focus was currently on providing medical assistance to the injured, adding that an investigation was underway. He said that the deceased children were residents of the area and assured the media that action will be taken and measures will be taken against those responsible.
Meanwhile, the Punjab Chief Minister took note of the incident and directed authorities to ensure best possible medical treatment for the injured and expedite the rescue operation.
The prime minister also called for a report on the incident and ordered officials to determine responsibility for the roof collapse.
CM Maryam directed the provincial ministers to immediately reach the incident site.
On the instructions of the Prime Minister, Prime Minister’s Advisor Zeeshan Malik reached THQ Hospital Kahna.
A statement from Edhi’s spokesperson said the roof of a room in a house near Qurban School on Ferozepur Road suddenly collapsed, burying several children under the rubble.
Ambulances and volunteers from Edhi also reached the spot and joined the rescue operation to recover the trapped people.
PM Shehbaz, Bilawal express regret over incident
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over the loss of lives after the roof of an educational center collapsed in Kahna area of Lahore.
The Prime Minister expressed deep sorrow over the death of the children, prayed for the souls of the deceased and extended his condolences to the bereaved families.
He also prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured in the incident and directed authorities to ensure that they received all possible medical treatment.
On the other hand, the president of the Pakistan People’s Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, expressed his condolences to the families of the children who lost their lives in the roof collapse.
“I am deeply saddened by the tragic incident near Kachwana Road in Kahna,” Bilawal said, urging rescue volunteers, teachers and others involved in the operation to “discharge their duties to the best of their ability.”
He also expressed solidarity with the grieving parents of the children who died in the incident.
Meanwhile, Punjab Child Welfare and Protection Bureau Chairperson Sarah Ahmed expressed deep sorrow over the collapse of the roof of the educational center in Kahna.
“The deaths and injuries of innocent children are deeply heartbreaking,” Ahmed said. “We stand with the affected and grieving families in this hour of grief.”
She directed the team from the Office of Child Welfare and Protection to immediately meet with the affected families.
“The affected children and their families will receive all possible psychological, social and legal assistance,” he stated.
He also expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the deceased children and asked that the best possible medical treatment be provided to the injured.
Ahmed said negligence that endangers the lives of children cannot be tolerated and called for a transparent investigation into the incident, with strict legal action against those responsible.
He also called for an immediate security audit of all educational centers and educational institutions.
“The lives and safety of children cannot be compromised. It is essential to take effective measures to prevent tragedies of this type in the future,” he said.
