The death toll from a roof collapse at a school in Punjab, Pakistan has risen to 14 children with dozens more injured. The tragedy, which occurred during morning assembly, has reignited calls for rigorous safety standards in the region. British safety inspectors, who have been working with Pakistani authorities on building regulations, said the incident was 'foreseeable and preventable'.
The school, a poorly maintained concrete structure in a rural district, had no permits and was known to have structural issues. Witnesses described hearing cracks before the roof gave way. Rescue efforts continue, with families waiting outside the rubble. One father, Muhammad Aslam, told reporters: 'I sent my son to learn, not to die. The roof should have been fixed years ago.'
The National Commission for Human Rights in Pakistan has launched an inquiry. Meanwhile, UK-based charity Build Safe International said the tragedy underscores the need for mandatory inspections and basic safety training. Their director, James Holloway, said: 'We have the knowledge and the resources to stop this. What we lack is the political will to enforce standards.'
This latest disaster comes as the UK government reviews its own building safety laws, with unions calling for a 'duty of care' clause for all public buildings. For the families in Punjab, such debates are academic. They want answers and accountability. The question remains: how many more children must die before the world takes action?
