Lahore’s Harbanspura Neighborhood Under Scrutiny After Three-Storey House Collapse
A devastating three-storey house collapse in Lahore’s Harbanspura neighborhood has raised concerns about building safety and regulation. The incident, which occurred late on Wednesday evening, resulted in the deaths of 11 people and injuries to six others.
According to authorities, a birthday celebration was underway when the structure collapsed from top to bottom. Rescue workers were quickly deployed to the scene, with teams from the Lahore District Administration (LDA) and the Pakistan Police assisting in the rescue efforts.
The cause of the collapse is still under investigation by an inquiry led by retired Capt Muhammad Ali Ijaz, who supervised the rescue operation. Heavy machinery was also used to speed up the process, which included deploying Rescue 1122 teams and district administration officials.
This incident comes a month after another roof collapse at a tuition centre in Lahore’s Kahna area, which claimed the lives of 14 children. The owners of the building were registered with the authorities and faced charges related to putting soil on the dilapidated structure, which ultimately led to its collapse.
In May, four children died and 20 people were injured after the roof of a classroom at a private school in Dera Ghazi Khan collapsed due to construction work. An investigation into this incident revealed that the building’s extension was under way when it collapsed, highlighting concerns about inadequate planning and oversight.
The Lahore District Administration has launched an inquiry into both incidents, with Capt Ijaz ordering a thorough review of building regulations and safety standards in the area. The government has also taken steps to improve its emergency response protocols and ensure that buildings are constructed and maintained safely.
As the investigation continues, residents of Harbanspura neighborhood remain anxious about the safety of their homes and community. “We urge the authorities to take immediate action to address these concerns and prevent such incidents from happening in the future,” said a local resident.
Based on reporting from Dawn.
