Shop roof collapse kills 8 women, injures dozens in Pakistan’s Punjab province

ISTANBUL

At least eight women were killed and 45 others injured Monday when the roof of a shop collapsed in Rahim Yar Khan in Pakistan’s central-eastern Punjab province, according to state media.

The injured were taken to hospitals, Radio Pakistan reported.

The incident occurred when beneficiaries of the Benazir Income Support Programme, which provides cash assistance to low-income families, gathered at a grocery store serving as a payment point, the Dawn newspaper reported.

The district administration said an investigation committee has been formed to examine the cause of the collapse and will submit its report within 24 hours.

Divisional Commissioner Musarrat Jabeen said that if the investigation finds the collapse resulted from negligence, strict legal action will be taken against those responsible, according to the statement.

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari expressed “deep sorrow” over the incident and offered condolences to the victims’ families while wishing the injured a speedy recovery.