39 children, two teachers hurt in school roof collapse

MULTAN: As many as 39 children and two lady teachers were injured when the roof of a private school in a village Ali Wala collapsed on Multan-Muzaffargarh Road, on Saturday.
Rescue sources said nine seriously injured children were removed to Nishtar Hospital where their condition was stated to be out of danger. Some of them were identified as Danish (12), Marym (8), Zohra (8), Sawera (7) and Sumera (8).
District Coordination Officer (DCO) Zahid Saleem Gondal visited the scene and said the school principal was taken into custody.
A violent mob comprising parents and relatives attacked the police vehicle and attempted to manhandle the principal.
Rescue-1122 official Abdul Jabbar said they had provided immediate medical aid to 15 children at the site. An operation was initiated to rescue the children trapped under the rubble. Two teachers, who were present in the school when the roof collapsed, were also rescued. Rescue officials said 16 students were sent home after the first aid.
The school was registered with the Punjab Education Foundation and its owner was getting funds from the government. The police had registered a case against the owners.
Our Lahore correspondent adds: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has taken notice of the incident and sought a report from the secretary schools.
He directed the chief secretary to monitor the rescue activities. He also directed the Multan commissioner and the DCO to accelerate the relief activities. He said that all possible treatment facilities should be provided to the injured teachers and students.