14 children die as tuition center’s roof collapses in Pakistan

LAHORE, Pakistan (MNTV) — At least 14 children died and several others suffered injuries when the roof of a tuition center on the ground floor of an old and under-construction building caved in on them in Kahna area on Tuesday, officials said.

Police have registered a criminal case against the owners of the private tuition center and a contractor. The first information report (FIR), filed Tuesday at Kahna police station, names the property’s owners and the contractor in connection with the incident, Deputy Inspector General of Police (Operations) Faisal Kamran says.

According to the FIR, the complaint was filed by Lahore Metropolitan Corporation official Kashif Aslam, who said he arrived at the scene shortly after the collapse and found children trapped beneath the rubble.

Authorities said more than 30 children were attending classes at the tuition center when the roof collapsed. Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Imran Nazir said 19 children were taken to Kahna Tehsil Headquarters Hospital, where 14 were pronounced dead. Two children were later discharged after treatment, while four remained hospitalized.

Police said construction work was underway on the building’s upper floor while classes were being held on the ground floor.

According to the FIR, the tuition center operated from a house owned by individuals identified as Rehan, Faizan, Usman and Umar. It alleges that Rehan, Usman and Umar, along with contractor Umair, were placing soil on the roof despite the building’s deteriorated condition, causing the structure to collapse under the additional weight. Rehan’s wife, who was teaching at the center, was also injured.

“Due to their negligence and the extra load, the roof of the room collapsed,” the FIR states.

Police have taken five people into custody, including the building owner and the contractor, as investigators continue collecting evidence. Authorities said legal action will be taken against anyone found responsible for negligence.

Roof and building collapses occur periodically in Pakistan, often linked to poor safety standards and substandard construction materials. Last July, a five-story residential building collapsed in Karachi’s Lyari neighborhood, killing 27 people and injuring 10.