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9 killed as mosque roof collapses in Pakistan
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AT least nine worshippers were killed when the roof of a mosque collapsed in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore yesterday and an unknown number were still buried under rubble, officials said.
The accident happened in Daroghawala, a low-income neighborhood in the outer city with narrow and congested streets that hampered rescue efforts.
Recent monsoon rains that have caused deadly flooding in Pakistan’s Kashmir region and Punjab province may have contributed to the collapse, Punjab food minister Bilal Yasin said.
“The bodies of at least nine worshippers have been pulled out from the rubble of the roof, while an unknown number of people are still buried,” rescue official Jam Sajjad said.
There were up to 30 people at the daily afternoon prayer.
“We fear that the death toll might rise. The roads there are very crowded, preventing heavy machines from entering the area to remove the debris. Local people are also helping in the rescue effort,” Sajjad said.
TV footage showed residents making a line to remove debris by passing it hand-to-hand.
Local government official Usman Ahmed confirmed the roof collapse and toll.
Zahid Bashir, who was being treated in hospital for injuries to his head and shoulders, said all he remembered was the recital of the prayer — and then a loud noise, dust and debris.
“It was just another normal day when I stood with others to say my prayers, but suddenly everything turned into pain, dust and it was suffocating,” Bashir, 35, said. “I am lucky to have survived this. Life and death is in the hands of Allah.”
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