LAHORE: Four more bodies were pulled out from under the rubble of a partially collapsed double-story mosque-cum-seminary in Lahore taking the death toll in the tragedy to 24, official sources said.

Another nine injured have also been pulled out from under the debris of the partially collapsed structure in Lahore’s congested Daroghawala area. Five of the nine injured are in critical condition, hospital sources said.

The injured are currently undergoing medical treatment in hospitals near Daroghawala, including in the Services Hospital.

Preliminary investigation into the tragedy suggested that that the lentil of the second storey collapsed on the roof of the ground floor which also caved in on people who were offering Zohr prayers on Tuesday. The entire structure was in a poor state.

Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif had visited the site of the collapse on Tuesday to review the rescue and relief operations. He had directed the officials to provide best facilities to the injured and had announced Rs 500,000 each for the families of the deceased.

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