One worker killed, six rescued after plaza roof collapses in Multan
The roof of an under-construction plaza collapsed near NCBA University on Northern Bypass in Multan on Tuesday. Rescue 1122 said one labourer died and six others were pulled out of the rubble.
- One labourer died when the roof of an under-construction plaza collapsed in Multan.
- Rescue 1122 said six people were rescued and taken to Nishtar Hospital.
- Eyewitnesses said 10 to 15 labourers were working at the site.
- The cause of the collapse was not immediately known.
The roof of an under-construction plaza collapsed in Multan on Tuesday, killing at least one labourer, according to Rescue 1122. The building is near NCBA University on Northern Bypass. Some Urdu outlets described the location as Nagana Chowk.
According to the rescue service, eight people were trapped under the rubble. Seven of them were pulled out, and the six who were injured were shifted to Nishtar Hospital. Rescue 1122 said one person remained under the debris and that the rescue operation was continuing. Express News reported that the rescue teams reached the site within three minutes and began a search and rescue operation.
Rescue 1122 said eyewitnesses told its teams that between 10 and 15 labourers were working at the construction site when the roof came down. Early reports from Daily Pakistan, citing Geo News, said part of the roof had fallen and several workers were buried under the debris.
A total of 10 emergency vehicles were deployed, the rescue service said. These included five ambulances, three rescue motorbikes, one rescue vehicle and one fire vehicle.
The cause of the collapse was not immediately known. The reports did not say whether any official inquiry had been announced.
The Express Tribune noted other recent roof collapses in Pakistan. On October 15, at least 30 children and a female teacher were killed when the roof of a private school collapsed in Peshawar, and more than 50 others were injured. Police registered a case against the school's owners, shareholders and contractor.
In June, 14 children were killed and eight others injured when the roof of a tuition centre collapsed in Lahore's Kahna area. Police registered a case against the property owners and a construction worker under sections of the Pakistan Penal Code relating to death by negligence and hurt caused by a rash or negligent act.
Why it matters
Construction workers and residents near building sites in Pakistani cities face risk when structures fail. The Multan collapse follows other recent roof collapses reported in Peshawar and Lahore.
