Lahore Police Register Case After Tuition Centre Roof Collapse Kills 14 Children
LAHORE: Police have registered a case against the owners and a construction worker of a tuition centre, the roof of which collapsed on Tuesday, resulting in the death of 14 children in Lahore’s Kahna area, according to Dawn.
The first information report (FIR), a copy of which is available with Dawn, was booked under sections 322 (manslaughter) and 337-H (punishment for hurt by rash or negligent act) of the Pakistan Penal Code, as reported by the newspaper.
The FIR was registered at the Kahna police station on the complaint of a Lahore Metropolitan Corporation official, Kashif Aslam, who told police that he reached the site at around 5:15pm and found children buried under the rubble. After rescue teams were called in, 14 children were found dead and six others injured, the FIR quoted him as saying.
According to the FIR, the tuition centre was being run in a house owned by individuals identified as Rehan, Faizan, Usman and Umar. On the day of the incident, Faizan, Umar and Siddique, along with a construction worker identified as Umair, were pouring soil onto the roof of the building, which was already in a dilapidated condition. Due to the extra load, the roof of the room collapsed, the FIR stated.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Operations Faisal Kamran confirmed to Dawn that the owners and the construction worker were nominated in the FIR.
In a statement issued at 7pm on Tuesday, Lahore police said two individuals, including the owner of the property, had been taken into custody as part of the initial investigation. The statement added that evidence was being collected and strict action would be taken against those found guilty of negligence.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed police and district government authorities to determine the role of those responsible for the roof collapse and the consequent deaths, for criminal proceedings.
Residents and affected families in the Basti Eid Gah locality, where the incident occurred, said poverty and unsafe housing conditions were the root cause of the tragedy. A labourer named Hassan, who lost his five-year-old son Arkam, said, “We have forgiven the teacher for the death of our son.” The teacher, Anila, who taught children from the locality, was also injured along with her daughter.
The area comprises half-built homes, and residents said many people have built houses over a sewage drain, raising concerns about future disasters. One resident noted, “This might not be the last tragedy in this area as many people have occupied the sewage drain and built houses on top of it.”
Rescue teams, including Rescue 1122 and Edhi service, participated in the operation. A statement by the Edhi rescue service said the roof had been constructed using TR girders and collapsed suddenly.