Four children killed, 20 injured in Dera Ghazi Khan school roof collapse

LAHORE: At least four children were killed and 20 people were injured when the roof of a classroom at a private school in Punjab’s Dera Ghazi Khan collapsed on Thursday, according to a preliminary report issued by the district administration.

The report confirmed the casualty toll and said those injured included students, two teachers and two labourers. The incident was reported around noon, after which rescue teams and ambulances were dispatched to the site.

According to the district administration’s preliminary findings, responders reached the location in four minutes. Rescue 1122 spokesperson Farooq Ahmad said rescue officials, district administration personnel and local residents took part in the operation to pull students and teachers from beneath the debris.

District Education Authority Chief Executive Officer Waqas Gill told Dawn that he was also present at the site while the rescue and search effort was under way. He said all injured people were shifted to nearby hospitals.

Preliminary probe points to overloading of roof

The district administration’s report said an extension to the school building was under construction when the classroom roof gave way. Sand and bricks had been placed on the roof, causing excessive load.

the roof could not bear the load and resultantly collapsed

This was the reason identified in the initial probe into the incident.

Before the release of the preliminary report, CEO Gill had said the matter would be investigated and action would be taken against the school administration for allegedly compromising students’ safety by carrying out construction work during school hours.

Chief minister seeks report

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has taken notice of the incident and sought a report from the relevant authorities.

The collapse triggered an emergency response involving rescue workers and local residents, as officials worked to recover those trapped under the rubble and move the injured to hospitals. The district administration’s initial account has linked the incident to ongoing construction activity at the school and the weight placed on the classroom roof.

Authorities have said an investigation will be carried out into the circumstances surrounding the collapse and the role of the school administration in allowing construction work to continue during school hours.