14 children dead in Lahore tuition centre roof collapse, 9 injured

As many as fourteen children were feared dead on Tuesday, while nine others including a teacher were injured, when the roof of a private tuition centre set up by a female teacher reportedly collapsed in Lahore’s Kahna area, reported 24NewsHD TV Channel on Tuesday. 

MS Tehsil Headquarters Hospital Kahna Dr Rizwan Ch confirmed that the death toll could exceed 14, as Rescue 1122 teams on the spot reported to the Emergency Services headquarters that the condition of the trapped children was critical.

Rescue teams were present at the site and rescue operations were underway as of the latest update at 6pm.

According to initial reports, around 30 to 35 children were present at the private tuition centre when a part of its roof caved in, trapping them under the debris. 

 Police have arrested owner of Tuition centre and one other man. The further investigations and rescue operation were underway. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has sought report of the incident. DIG Faisal Kamran has reached the site to review the rescue activities. 

The victim were identified as Abdullah, 8, son of Mustafa

Salman, 8, son of Wasim

Urooj, 9, daughter of Mustafa,

Mah Noor, 8, daughter of Farooq

Tashbeeh, 7, daughter of Shehzada

Fawad, 8, son of Muhammad Abid

Iman Fatima, 11, daughter of Mustafa

Khadija, 12, daughter of Wasim

Urooj, 6, daughter of Murtaza

Murtaza, 4,

Rimsha, 6

Ali, 6, son of Farman

Arham, 8, son of Hassan Ali

Dua, 7, daughter of Gulfam

Abdullah, 7, son of Asghar

Injured under Treatment (All in Stable Condition)

Abiha, 8

Fariha, 10

Murtaza, 11

Ayan, 8

Rabia, 7

Hameeda Rehan, 30

Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Imran Nazeer confirmed the deaths. Lahore Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Operations Faisal Kamran also confirmed the casualties.

In a statement after the search and rescue operation was completed, a Rescue 1122 spokesperson said a female teacher and eight children were taken to Lahore General Hospital (LGH) with multiple injuries. Of them, five children were in critical condition, he said.

Initially, some of the children were taken to the nearby Kahna Tehsil Headquarters (THQ) Hospital and were later shifted to Lahore General Hospital (LGH). According to an earlier list of the deceased provided by LGH, the victims were aged between five and 16 years.

Meanwhile, the health minister said two minors were discharged after receiving treatment at the THQ Hospital, while the “rest of the four” were out of danger. It is unclear whether the four injured and under treatment at the THQ Hospital were in addition to those taken to LGH.

Nazeer said “around 20 people” had been trapped under the debris, including the 14 deceased children who were brought dead to the THQ Hospital. In a statement issued at 7pm, Lahore Police said rescue efforts had concluded.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday expressed deep sorrow and grief over the loss of precious young lives following the tragic roof collapse in the Kahna area.

In an official statement, the prime minister conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the departed souls.

He also offered prayers for the swift recovery of the children injured in the incident, directing relevant authorities to ensure that the best possible medical treatment is provided to them without delay.

Meanwhile, PPP CHairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Tuesday expressed grief over the deaths of children in the roof collapse at a tuition centre in Lahore and extended his condolences to the bereaved families.

In a statement, Bilawal said he was deeply saddened by the tragic incident near Kachwana Road in Lahore’s Kahna area.

He urged rescue workers, teachers and other emergency responders to make every possible effort in the rescue and relief operation. Bilawal also expressed solidarity with the parents and families of the children who lost their lives in the incident.

Reporters: Israr Khan, Irfan Malik