Edhi and Rescue 1122 launch operation after a roof collapse traps children near Qurban School in Lahore
At least 14 children were killed and eight were injured after the roof of a house collapsed in Lahore’s Kahna area on Tuesday, according to the police.
Lahore Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Operations Faisal Kamran confirmed the toll while addressing the media on the occasion. “Eight children and one teacher are hospitalised, who are injured. Apart from that, the death of 14 children is confirmed.”
He said it was a single-storey building with a small room at the top with a roof of TR girders. The DIG added that some work was underway on the roof and the number of labourers exceeded its strength, which caused a girder to break, triggering the collapse atop what he said was a tuition centre.
“We have detained five people who were running the tuition centre and are interrogating them regarding in what capacity the centre was being run, why safety was not considered and other aspects.”
The DIG said the focus at this time was on the provision of medical aid to the injured, adding that an investigation was underway. He said the deceased children were locals of the area and assured the media of proceedings and action against those responsible.
A statement from the Edhi spokesperson said the roof of a room in a house near Qurban School on Ferozepur Road collapsed suddenly, burying several children under the debris.
Edhi ambulances and volunteers also reached the scene and joined the rescue operation to recover those trapped.
According to initial information, the collapsed roof had been constructed using TR girders, Rescue 1122 and the Edhi spokesperson said.
Rescue efforts were underway, while Edhi ambulances remained at the site to provide immediate medical assistance to the injured.
Rescue 1122 also confirmed the incident, saying that emergency vehicles and personnel responded promptly after receiving reports of the incident.
According to the rescue service, initial information from the caller suggested that eight to 10 children had been trapped beneath the debris after the roof gave way. Rescue workers were engaged in efforts to pull those trapped from the rubble.
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More to follow…
