In brief
On 30 June 2026, the roof of a private tuition centre in Lahore’s Kahna suburb collapsed, crushing fourteen children and injuring five others. Rescue 1122 crews reached the scene at 16:45 and finished the rescue within an hour, retrieving most of the survivors who were between seven and eleven years old. Local authorities launched an investigation, detaining two individuals suspected of negligence. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif expressed condolences and pledged full legal accountability.
The roof of a private tuition centre in the Kahna suburb of Lahore collapsed on 30 June 2026, crushing fourteen children and leaving five others injured. Local emergency services responded swiftly, arriving at the scene at 16:45 local time. Rescue 1122 crews completed the rescue in less than an hour, retrieving the majority of survivors who were between seven and eleven years old.
Officials launched an investigation into the collapse and detained two individuals as part of the initial inquiry. One resident, Zaheer, 45, told AFP that roof tiles were undergoing repairs while children studied, and the collapsed structure was in poor shape. He said, "The roof collapsed on top of several children because they had put a lot of weight on it," he recounted.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his condolences, stating that he had prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured and urged authorities to provide comprehensive medical assistance. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif described the incident as a "heartbreaking tragedy" and vowed that those found accountable would face the full force of the law.
The tragedy has sparked nationwide mourning, as families struggle to cope with the loss of 14 innocent lives. Local communities have yet to know where to offer condolences.
