At least eight people were killed after the roof of a house collapsed in Lahore’s Harbanspura area late Wednesday, triggering a major rescue operation and prompting authorities to launch an investigation into the cause of the incident.

Lahore Deputy Commissioner Retired Capt. Muhammad Ali Ijaz confirmed the death toll, saying rescue efforts continued throughout the night as teams worked to locate and recover anyone still trapped beneath the rubble. Rescue 1122 personnel, assisted by district administration officials, used heavy machinery to clear debris and expedite the operation.

The deputy commissioner personally supervised the rescue operation and directed officials to ensure the safe recovery of all victims. He also ordered a formal inquiry to determine the cause of the roof collapse. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether structural weaknesses or other factors were responsible for the tragedy.

The incident comes just weeks after another fatal roof collapse at a tuition centre in Lahore’s Kahna area, where 14 children lost their lives. Earlier this year, a classroom roof collapse at a private school in Dera Ghazi Khan also claimed four lives. Those incidents prompted renewed calls for stricter enforcement of building safety regulations and regular structural inspections.

As rescue operations continue in Harbanspura, authorities have urged residents to report unsafe buildings and cooperate with inspection teams to help prevent similar tragedies in the future.