Punjab announces Rs2m compensation for each family of Kahna tragedy

The Punjab government has announced financial assistance of Rs2 million for the family of each child who lost their life in the Kahna tragedy, the 24NewsHD TV channel reported on Wednesday.

Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz issued instructions to the Deputy Commissioner of Lahore to ensure the implementation of the compensation package.

According to the channel report, the provincial government has directed the authorities to provide Rs2 million to the heirs of each deceased child.

 Injured teacher Anela says repair work was under way

Meanwhile, Anila, the injured teacher who operated the tuition centre where the incident occurred, has spoken publicly about the circumstances leading up to the tragedy.

Speaking from Lahore General Hospital, where she is receiving treatment, Anila said repair work had been initiated because rainwater had been leaking through the roof.

The injured teacher said she had no idea the roof would collapse and added that her own daughter was among those injured in the incident.

The teacher explained that she had been running tuition classes from her home for the past two years due to financial difficulties.

She said her husband earns a living by operating a handcart near a local market. Anila also stated that her husband had not received a fruit cart from the Punjab chief minister.

She said between 30 and 35 children were usually enrolled in the tuition centre, while around 20 children attended classes on the day before the incident.

Providing an update on her daughter's condition, Anila said the child had recovered sufficiently to be discharged from hospital. However, she added that she had not yet been able to meet her daughter while undergoing treatment herself.

Experts cite multiple factors behind deadly roof collapse

Experts have identified a combination of structural and physical factors that may explain the high number of fatalities in the Kahna roof collapse that claimed the lives of several children.

According to preliminary assessments, the children were seated inside a room measuring approximately 10 by 15 feet when the roof gave way. 

Experts said the position of the children at the time of the collapse exposed them to the full impact of the falling structure, with heavy debris striking their heads and upper bodies.

The roof consisted of iron reinforcement, cement and layers of earth, all of which collapsed simultaneously. 

Specialists said the combined weight of these materials created a powerful impact force that contributed to the severity of the injuries.

Experts further noted that children have more fragile skull structures than adults, making them particularly vulnerable to serious head trauma. 

This factor is believed to have played a significant role in the immediate deaths reported after the collapse.

According to the assessment, children seated close to the walls of the room sustained comparatively minor injuries, while those positioned beneath the central section of the roof were exposed to the greatest danger.

Investigators have also been examining the effect of additional weight on the roof at the time of the incident. Reports indicate that three labourers and another individual were present on top of the structure, potentially increasing the load on the roof before it collapsed.

Some experts suggested that the casualty rate might have been lower had the children been lying down rather than sitting upright, as this could have reduced the concentration of impact on their heads and upper bodies. 

Reporter: Rao Dilshad