A roof collapse at a tuition centre in Pakistan has killed at least 14 children and injured dozens more, sources confirm. The incident occurred in a densely populated area of Lahore, where the building, reportedly constructed with substandard materials, gave way during a late-afternoon class. Rescue workers are still sifting through debris, fearing the toll could rise.
Witnesses described scenes of chaos. “We heard a loud crack, and then the ceiling just fell,” said a nearby shopkeeper. “Children were trapped under concrete.” Emergency services arrived within minutes, but the lack of heavy lifting equipment hampered efforts. Families have been waiting outside hospitals, some receiving news of survivor, others not.
This tragedy has ignited fury over Pakistan’s lax building regulations. Local authorities have launched an investigation, but victims’ relatives are demanding accountability. “They built this centre without permits,” claimed a local councillor who spoke on condition of anonymity. “Money changed hands, corners were cut.”
Meanwhile, the UK government has issued a statement expressing solidarity with Pakistan and calling for urgent building safety reforms. “The loss of young lives is a devastating reminder of the cost of negligence,” said a Foreign Office spokesman. “We stand with the families and urge Pakistan to ensure such a disaster never happens again.” The UK previously introduced its own building safety legislation after the Grenfell Tower fire, which killed 72 people.
But critics argue that calls for reform are hollow without action. Uncovered documents suggest that UK aid to Pakistan for infrastructure projects has been linked to construction firms with questionable safety records. A whistleblower who worked on a school renovation programme said: “We were told to use cheaper materials to save time. They didn’t care about the kids.”
This is not an isolated incident. In 2021, over 100 people died when a building collapsed in Karachi. In both cases, owners faced no charges. The pattern is clear: money talks louder than safety.
As the death count rises, questions must be asked about who allowed this building to operate. The tuition centre owner, reported to be a local politician, has not been found. His colleagues say he is “cooperating”, but sources say he boarded a flight to Dubai hours after the collapse.
This story is developing. More bodies are being pulled from the rubble. More questions remain unanswered. The UK’s call for reforms is a start, but without consequences for those who profit from death, it is just words on paper.
