LAHORE: As many as 14 children lost their lives on Tuesday, while several others were injured, when the roof of a private tuition centre collapsed in Lahore’s Kahna area, officials said.

Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Imran Nazeer confirmed the deaths while speaking to Geo News. Lahore Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Operations Faisal Kamran also confirmed the casualties to Dawn.

In a statement after the search and rescue operation was completed, a Rescue 1122 spokesperson said a female teacher and eight children were taken to the Lahore General Hospital (LGH) with multiple injuries.

Of them, five children were in critical condition, he said.

Meanwhile, the health minister said two minors were discharged after receiving treatment at the nearby Kahna Tehsil Headquarters (THQ) Hospital, while the “rest of the four” under treatment there were out of danger.

Nazeer said “around 20 people” had been trapped under the debris, including the 14 deceased children, who were brought dead to the THQ hospital.

Initially, some children were brought to the THQ hospital and were later taken to the LGH. According to an earlier list of deceased provided by LGH, eight of them were aged between five and 16 years.

In a statement issued at 7pm, Lahore Police said rescue efforts had concluded.

The statement added that two individuals, including the house owner, have been taken into custody as part of the initial investigation.

It quoted the DIG as saying that evidence was being collected and strict action would be taken against those found guilty of negligence.

DIG Kamran said the contractor who constructed the house recently was among those held. He noted that a part of the house was under construction, and labourers were busy at work when the roof collapsed.

“The children are very young in age, and there were two rooms in use. The ceilings collapsed and trapped the children,” Rescue 1122 spokesperson Farooq Ahmed told Dawn News.

A statement by the Edhi rescue service, which also took part in the rescue operation, said that the roof “collapsed suddenly”. It said preliminary information indicated that the roof had been constructed using TR girders.

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed the police and district government authorities to determine the role of those individual(s) found responsible for the roof collapse, and consequently the deaths, for criminal proceedings.

Lahore District Education Authority Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tariq Mahmood said the building housed a private tuition centre and was run by a woman resident of the area.

The health authorities had declared an emergency at the nearby Lahore General Hospital, directing the relevant senior administration officials, doctors, nurses and paramedical staff to attend to the injured children being brought there without any delay.

This is a developing story that is being updated as the situation evolves. Initial reports in the media can sometimes be inaccurate. We will strive to ensure timeliness and accuracy by relying on credible sources, such as concerned, qualified authorities and our staff reporters.