14 children killed when roof collapses at Pakistan tuition center

At least 14 children were killed when the roof of a tuition center collapsed in eastern Pakistan, trapping dozens of children under the rubble, according to officials and local media.

The collapse happened late Tuesday afternoon in the Lahore area, where children had gathered for lessons inside a private tuition center operating from a house, according to Pakistani news outlet Jang.

Punjab’s health minister confirmed that 14 children were killed in the collapse. Rescue officials said 33 children were trapped under the debris, while 19 children were taken to a hospital, including five who remain hospitalized.

Officials said more children were feared trapped under the rubble, and rescue crews are continuing to search the site. Many of the children were young, and authorities said some may have died from suffocation after being buried under debris.

Police said construction work was underway on the upper floor of the building while children were studying on the ground floor. The building was described by provincial officials as dilapidated and being used as a tuition center without proper repairs.

Five people connected to the operation of the tuition center were taken into custody, police said. Authorities said the cause of the collapse remains under investigation.