Fourteen children were killed Tuesday after the roof of an unregistered tutoring center collapsed in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore, trapping students and a teacher beneath the rubble as authorities launched a criminal investigation into possible negligence.
Emergency responders from Punjab’s rescue service recovered the bodies of the children, who ranged in age from 5 to 16, along with a 30 year old female teacher from the collapsed private after school learning center.
Most of the children who died were younger than 9, rescue officials said.
Authorities said the tutoring center was operating inside a privately owned residential building that appeared to have a deteriorating roof.
Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari said preliminary findings indicated the facility had not been registered with authorities.
“If negligence, carelessness or any violation of the law is established, those responsible will face strict legal action,” Bokhari said.
She added that the provincial government has ordered inspections of unsafe buildings ahead of the annual monsoon season and plans to introduce stricter oversight of unregistered tutoring centers and private educational facilities.
Witnesses said construction workers had been repairing roof tiles while classes were underway when the roof suddenly gave way.
“The roof was in poor condition,” the uncle of one of the victims told Agence France Presse, saying repair work was continuing while children remained inside the building.
Television footage broadcast by Geo News showed rescue workers, police officers and local residents digging through broken concrete, bricks and debris using shovels and their hands in an effort to reach those trapped beneath the collapsed structure.
Police confirmed that two people had been taken into custody as investigators gathered evidence at the scene.
Video released by authorities showed officers working alongside emergency crews wearing protective helmets inside the densely populated residential neighborhood where the collapse occurred.
Lahore Commissioner Marryam Khan pledged a thorough investigation into the disaster.
“Those responsible for the incident will be found through a transparent, unbiased and immediate investigation,” Khan said.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed condolences to the victims’ families and directed officials to ensure that injured survivors receive all necessary medical treatment, according to a statement from his office.
President Asif Ali Zardari also expressed sorrow over the tragedy and called for stronger safety measures to prevent similar incidents.
Building collapses remain a recurring problem across Pakistan, where aging structures, weak enforcement of construction regulations and the use of substandard building materials have contributed to numerous fatal accidents.
Last year, 27 people were killed and 10 others were injured when a five story residential building collapsed in the Lyari area of Karachi, highlighting ongoing concerns over structural safety throughout the country.
Private tutoring centers have become increasingly common across Pakistan as families seek additional educational support for children outside regular school hours. Many operate from converted homes or commercial buildings, raising concerns about compliance with building and safety regulations.
The latest tragedy is expected to intensify calls for stricter inspections and licensing requirements for privately operated educational facilities, particularly those housed in older buildings vulnerable to structural failure.
What we know so far
Fourteen children and a teacher were trapped when the roof of an unregistered tutoring center collapsed in Lahore. The children who died ranged in age from 5 to 16. Police have detained two people as investigators examine whether negligence contributed to the disaster.
What authorities are saying
Punjab officials say preliminary findings indicate the tutoring center was operating without registration inside a building with a deteriorating roof. Authorities have promised legal action if negligence is confirmed and announced plans to inspect unsafe buildings and strengthen oversight of private educational facilities.
Why this matters
The collapse has renewed concerns about building safety standards in Pakistan, where structural failures continue to claim lives. It also raises broader questions about the regulation of privately operated tutoring centers that serve thousands of students across the country.
What happens next
Investigators will examine the cause of the collapse, including whether repair work being carried out on the roof contributed to the disaster. Authorities are expected to determine whether criminal charges should be filed against those responsible and whether additional safety inspections will uncover other hazardous buildings.
This tragedy reflects longstanding challenges surrounding urban safety and regulatory enforcement in Pakistan. While authorities have repeatedly pledged stronger oversight after previous building collapses, enforcement has often lagged behind policy announcements.
If investigators confirm that the tutoring center operated without proper authorization in an unsafe structure undergoing repairs, the case could become a significant test of the government’s commitment to holding property owners and operators accountable.
The incident may also accelerate efforts to regulate the country’s growing network of private educational centers, many of which operate outside formal inspection systems.
Story sources: Reuters, Agence France Presse and The Guardian
