Roof collapse kills nine members of family in GB

PESHAWAR: The roof of a home made of mud and wood in Chilas town of Diamer district in Gilgit-Baltistan caved in early Sunday killing nine family members, including eight siblings, police said.

Police officer Imtiaz Khan said the incident claimed the lives of four daughters and as many sons of a restaurant waiter, Faraz Khan, and his wife, Khina Bibi. Khan said the father was at work when it happened.

Neighbours who heard the crashing sound of the house coming down rushed to the home but efforts to rescue the family were unsuccessful. Police said the siblings killed were ages 2 to 12.

Police identified the victims as Bibi; their sons Barkat Ullah, Sharafat Ullah Sadaqat Ullah and Shifayat Ullah; four daughters Lilan, Kiran, Nusrat and Nuzhat.

Such incidents are not uncommon in Pakistan, where implementation of safety standards is lacking and many people live in poorly constructed structures for a lack of financial resources.