RAHIM YAR KHAN: A tragic roof collapse at a payment centre of the Benazir Income Support Programme claimed the lives of five women and left at least 55 others injured on Monday.
The incident occurred in a suburban locality near Chak No. 125. Hundreds of women had gathered at a retailer’s shop that was being used as a distribution point for financial assistance under the government welfare scheme. Witnesses said the crowd had grown large as beneficiaries waited to receive their payments.
According to rescue officials, the roof of the shop suddenly collapsed while more than 200 women were present inside and around the building. Many women were trapped under the rubble as panic spread across the area.
Rescue teams and local volunteers quickly rushed to the site and started relief operations. The injured were pulled out from the debris and transported to nearby medical facilities. Most of the victims were shifted to Shaikh Zayed Hospital for treatment.
Hospital sources confirmed that five women died from their injuries shortly after being brought to the hospital. Dozens of other injured women are currently under treatment, with some reported to be in serious condition.
Officials said the district administration declared an emergency at the hospital to manage the situation and provide immediate medical care to the victims.
Authorities have begun an investigation to determine the exact cause of the collapse. Preliminary reports suggest the structure of the shop may have been weak and unable to bear the weight of the large crowd gathered for the payment distribution.
