LAHORE: Punjab police have termed the deadly roof collapse at a tuition centre in Lahore’s Kahna area a case of “criminal negligence” and launched an investigation into the incident that claimed the lives of 14 children.

Police said the investigation wing had begun a detailed probe and was examining whether additional legal provisions should be added to the case.

Officials said all suspects nominated in the case had been arrested, while the female teacher conducting classes at the time of the incident, who has not been named in the FIR, could also be included in the investigation.

In her statement to police, the teacher said no one was intentionally responsible for the tragedy.

“I teach around 30 to 35 children, and we are poor and could not afford lanterns,” she told investigators, adding that rainwater had been leaking through the roof and repair work was being carried out while classes continued.

“There were around 20 children present when I was teaching, and I was also under the roof when it collapsed,” she said.

Meanwhile, a preliminary investigation report on the Kahna incident has been submitted to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, official sources said.

According to the report, the T-iron and girder roof collapsed after excessive debris and soil were placed on top of the structure during repair work.

The report stated that the roof was already structurally weak and failed to withstand the additional load, leading to the collapse.

At the time of the incident, around 20 children and the teacher were inside the tuition centre when the roof caved in. The children who lost their lives died from severe head injuries caused by the collapse.

Investigators said no evidence had so far been found indicating negligence by officials of any government department.

Police have registered a case and detained five people, including the owner of the building and his brother, as the investigation continues.