At least 14 Pakistan schoolchildren were killed and 20 others injured when the roof of a private tuition centre operating from an under-construction building collapsed in Lahore on Tuesday.
The Telegraph online reports that more than 300 children, aged between seven and 13 years, were attending classes at the academy, located in the densely populated Kahna Nau area, when the roof caved in, trapping them under the denbris.
Twenty injured children and a female teacher were shifted to the hospital, police said, adding that the deceased include seven girls and as many boys.
“A part of the building was under construction and labourers were busy at work when the roof collapsed. We have arrested the contractor,” Lahore Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Operations Faisal Kamran told reporters.
Later, Lahore police in a statement said the house owner has been taken into custody as part of the initial investigation.
Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Imran Nazir said rescue teams have completed the operation.
President Asif Ali Zardari expressed grief and sorrow over the tragic incident, his office said in a social media post.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a statement, prayed for the deceased and extended his condolences to the bereaved families. He also wished the injured a speedy recovery and directed that they be provided with “every possible medical aid”.
