A tragic accident at the Data Darbar construction site in Lahore claimed the life of a 38-year-old man after a wall collapsed during ongoing work, police confirmed on Monday.
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According to initial reports, the incident occurred near Gate No. 2 when a wall gave way after being struck by a crane. The victim, identified as Shahid, was buried under the debris. Nearby citizens rushed to the scene and managed to pull him out, but he later succumbed to his injuries after being shifted to a hospital.
Police arrived promptly and cordoned off the area to secure the site. Hafiz Ubaidullah, a local DSP, reached the location and initiated an investigation, collecting evidence to determine the circumstances leading to the collapse.
Authorities have arrested five individuals, including a safety officer and crane staff, on charges of negligence. The suspects—Tahir, Hamza, Mudassar, Ameer Muawiya, and Luqman—have been taken into custody, and a case has been registered against them.
The incident has raised fresh concerns about safety standards at the site, which has previously witnessed a fatal accident. In January, a woman and her minor daughter lost their lives after falling into an open manhole at the under-construction expansion project near the shrine.
Following that tragedy, the Punjab government had suspended the project team involved in the development, including those linked to the Bhati Chowk remodelling works. The project consultant, NESPAK, was also issued a show-cause notice, and disciplinary action was recommended against key officials.
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Authorities say further investigation is underway to determine responsibility and prevent similar incidents in the future, as public safety concerns continue to mount around construction practices in the area.