Data Darbar project accident kills passerby

A tragic accident at the Data Darbar expansion site claimed the life of a passerby after a structural column collapsed during construction work.

According to police officials, the incident occurred while work was underway on the expansion project of the historic shrine. A 40-year-old man, identified as Shahid, was passing by the site when the pillarsuddenly fell, leaving him critically injured.

Rescue teams rushed to the scene and shifted the injured man to a nearby hospital. However, he succumbed to his injuries on the way, highlighting concerns over safety measures at construction sites in busy public areas.

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Following the incident, police took immediate action and arrested five individuals, including the safety officer and crane staff present at the site. The arrested suspects were identified as Tahir, Hamza, Mudassar, Amir Muawiya, and Luqman.

Authorities confirmed that an investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the accident and whether negligence or violation of safety protocols played a role. Officials stated that all those responsible would be held accountable under the law.

The accident has raised serious questions regarding adherence to safety standards in large-scale development projects, especially in crowded areas where public movement is high. Citizens and observers have called for stricter enforcement of construction regulations to prevent such incidents in the future.

Lahore authorities have assured that a detailed inquiry will be conducted, and necessary measures will be taken to avoid recurrence of such tragedies.

The incident has also sparked public concern over worker supervision and risk management at major infrastructure sites across the city.