Lahore Tuition Centre Roof Collapse: Arrested Landlord Says Poverty Prevented Repairs as Death Toll Reaches 14 Children

Lahore: The owner of a house where a tuition centre roof collapsed in Lahore, killing 14 children, has told police that financial hardship prevented him from replacing the damaged roof, according to his recorded statement following his arrest.

The tragic incident occurred on Tuesday evening at around 4:45 p.m. in Lahore’s Kahna area, where more than 30 children were attending tuition classes inside a house when the roof suddenly collapsed, trapping dozens beneath the rubble.

Police arrested the house owner, Rehan, his brother Faizan, and mason Umair, registering a case against them on charges of negligence.

In his statement to investigators, Rehan said the roof had been leaking during the rainy season, but he could not afford to replace it due to financial difficulties.

“My wife taught children at the tuition centre to help support our household expenses. I was repairing the roof with my brothers and a mason by laying tiles when it suddenly collapsed during the construction work,” he reportedly told police.

Rescue teams, assisted by local residents, rushed to the scene and pulled victims from the debris before shifting them to nearby hospitals.

Hospital officials said most of the victims were between 7 and 14 years of age. The tragedy devastated several families, with three siblings from the same household among those who lost their lives.

A preliminary investigation has revealed that the property falls within the jurisdiction of the DHA area and that the renovation work was allegedly being carried out without the required approval or an officially sanctioned building plan.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and several other political leaders expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy. Police said the suspects will be presented before a court to obtain physical remand as the investigation into the incident continues.