At least 14 students died when the roof of a private tutoring center in Punjab collapsed during renovation work.
A private tutoring facility in Lahore city, Punjab province, had its roof collapse on June 30 while students, mostly under 9 years old, were studying. Rescuers pulled many students and a 30-year-old female teacher out of the rubble.
According to Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari, initial investigation results showed that this tutoring center operated without a license and was located in a house with a severely degraded roof.
This type of tutoring center is quite popular in Pakistan, where many students receive tutoring after regular school hours.
“If it is determined that there is negligent, irresponsible behavior or violation of the law, those involved will be held strictly responsible,” Ms. Bokhari stated.
The Lahore city rescue team digs to find survivors in the roof collapse of the tutoring center on June 30. Image: AP
A witness said workers were repairing roof tiles when the structure suddenly collapsed while students were studying below.
Images broadcast by Geo News channel showed rescue forces and people using shovels and bare hands to dig through piles of rubble and stones to search for survivors.
Local officials pledged to fully investigate the incident. Punjab Provincial Police said they arrested two people for investigation and are collecting evidence at the scene.
Lahore City Commissioner Marryam Khan affirmed that he will hold the individuals involved responsible, and pledged to conduct a “transparent, objective and urgent” investigation.
Many house collapses and roof collapses have occurred in Pakistan due to lax construction safety standards, as well as the problem of using poor quality materials. In July 2025, a 5-story building in Lyari area, Karachi, suddenly collapsed, killing 27 people and injuring 10 people.