At least 14 children were killed and five others injured when the roof of a tutoring centre collapsed on Tuesday in Lahore, Pakistan’s second-largest city. The incident occurred in the Basti Eid Gah neighborhood of Kahna Nau, a residential area to the south of Lahore in Punjab province.

The tutoring centre was operating within an aging private house, where repair work was reportedly underway at the time of the collapse. Witnesses and local residents said workers had been fixing tiles on the roof when it suddenly gave way, crushing the children inside. Among the injured was also a teacher present at the centre.

Medical sources indicated that the children ranged in age from approximately four to 14 years old. Victims were taken to hospitals where those injured have been reported to be in stable condition.

Authorities have arrested two individuals, including the building owner, as part of an ongoing investigation into the cause of the disaster. Senior police officials and Lahore’s Commissioner Marryam Khan stated that negligence by the owner and construction workers appears to have contributed to the roof failure. The commissioner pledged a transparent and unbiased inquiry to identify those responsible.

Local residents expressed grief mixed with anger, criticizing the decision to hold classes in a deteriorating building amid ongoing construction. Families gathered to mourn as funeral prayers for the children began early Wednesday and continued throughout the day. Many victims were buried locally, while some families planned to transport the bodies to their native towns.

The Punjab education minister noted that the tutoring centre served children from a disadvantaged community, underscoring concerns about the safety standards of such informal educational facilities.

Building collapses remain a frequent hazard in Pakistan, often linked to poor construction practices and lax enforcement of safety regulations. This tragedy follows other recent incidents across the country, including a fatal collapse of a five-story residential building in Karachi last year that killed dozens and injured many more.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed sorrow over the loss of young lives, offering prayers for the injured and directing authorities to provide full medical support. Emergency responders and local volunteers worked through the night to recover bodies and assist in rescue efforts.

Investigators continue to gather evidence at the site as officials seek to determine the full circumstances behind the collapse and ensure accountability.