Jul 01, Kathmandu - A tragic accident occurred at a private educational center in Lahore’s eastern neighborhood when the roof of an under-construction building collapsed, resulting in the deaths of at least 14 school-aged children and injuring eight others. Rescue operations are ongoing, with fears that more children may be trapped under the debris.

Following the incident, the center's operators and another individual have been detained by authorities. 

Senior police official Faisal Kamran stated that preliminary investigations suggest the collapse was caused by the weak construction of the unfinished second floor of an old building used as the educational center. The injured children are currently receiving medical treatment at nearby hospitals.

Emergency services, including ambulances, security personnel, and rescue teams, rapidly responded to the scene. Local residents also assisted in clearing debris by hand and helping search for trapped children.

The area surrounding the hospital and learning center is shrouded in grief. Mourners gathered as the bodies of the children were handed over to their families, many of whom are local residents. Funeral arrangements are underway, with most victims set to be buried on Tuesday.

Local residents have condemned the unsafe and dilapidated condition of the building, demanding strict action against the center’s management. Zafar Iqbal, a local resident, expressed grief, stating many families in the neighborhood have lost their children, making it difficult to even offer condolences at individual homes.

This incident highlights the recurring problem of building collapses in Pakistan, often due to poor construction quality, neglect of safety standards, and dilapidated infrastructure.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed their deep sorrow over the tragedy and extended condolences to the victims’ families. They also prayed for the swift recovery of the injured and urged relevant authorities to implement effective safety measures to prevent such accidents in the future.