Funeral prayers were conducted overnight and on Wednesday morning for additional children who tragically died when the roof of a tuition centre collapsed in Lahore’s Kahna area. Authorities have registered a criminal case related to the incident and taken five individuals, including the building owner, into custody.
On Wednesday morning, funeral prayers for Mahnoor and Tasbeeh Shehzad took place at a local cemetery, while those for Iman, Urooj, and Abdullah were held late Tuesday night. Previously, prayers were also offered for four other victims: Dua, Ghulam Nabi, Irtaza, and Rimsha. The ceremonies saw large gatherings of relatives, local residents, and community members. Notably, Punjab Chief Minister’s Adviser Zeeshan Malik, Lahore Deputy Commissioner Capt (retd) Muhammad Ali Ijaz, and Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Talha Burki attended the funerals of four of the deceased children.
Following the funerals, Zeeshan Malik visited the families of the victims on the orders of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to extend condolences. He assured them that the provincial government would provide all necessary support during this challenging period. With these recent burials, nine out of the 14 children who lost their lives in the tragedy have now been laid to rest.
In a significant development, police filed a first information report (FIR) at Kahna police station based on a complaint from the Enforcement Inspector of Nishtar Zone. The FIR states that 14 children died and eight others were injured when the tuition centre’s roof collapsed. It also alleges that the collapse occurred due to repair work underway on the roof, with excessive weight causing it to give way.
DIG Operations Faisal Kamran confirmed that five individuals, including the building owner, have been detained. He added that legal proceedings will commence once the investigation concludes.
Meanwhile, 11-year-old Murtaza, who was injured in the collapse, continues to receive treatment at Children’s Hospital Lahore. Hospital officials reported that he is now out of danger. Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique stated that Prof Tipu Sultan and Dr Shahid are overseeing his care, and doctors have been instructed to ensure he receives the best medical attention.
The tuition centre was operating illegally from a residential building in Basti Eidgah, where over 30 students were present when the structure gave way, trapping many beneath the rubble. Rescue teams, supported by local residents and heavy machinery, worked for hours to recover the victims. Lahore General Hospital declared an emergency to treat the injured, all of whom were later reported to be in stable condition.
Initial investigations indicate that faulty construction caused the collapse. Police revealed that repair work was ongoing when a supporting girder failed under the weight of mud filling and construction materials. The Punjab Forensic Science Agency has joined the investigation to assist authorities. The tuition centre was unregistered and operating without authorization from a private residence.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has ordered criminal action against those found responsible. In response to the tragedy, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed their sorrow, extended condolences to the families, and urged that the injured receive the highest standard of medical care.
