A rescue operation is still going on at the site of a collapsed factory in Lahore, as hopes fade that more survivors can be found. The death toll has reached 33 since the occurrence of the incident when the plastic bag factory collapsed on Wednesday. Heavy machinery, diggers and drills are dismantling the concrete to rescue the trapped and injured ones. Reportedly, between 150 and 200 people were inside the structure when it collapsed, with about 103 rescued so far. Emotional scenes were witnessed on Friday when desperate families tried to reach their loved ones who were still trapped in the rubble. The immediate reason for the collapse is said to be the installation of two heavy machines that shook the structure of the building when they were put into operation at the first floor. The workers who survived the tragedy told the media that it happened due to the negligence of the owner, who was adamant on adding a new floor to the building despite a protest by his contractor and pleas from workers to stop construction after cracks had appeared in the walls following a powerful earthquake on October 26. Due to the building tragedy a number of aspects have been brought into the spotlight. They include owners’ negligence, regulatory authorities’ failure to check building bylaws violations and the social evil of child labour. When will the conscience of the concerned authorities awake? A large number of child workers were employed at the factory but no one checked this violation. The building itself was being constructed in clear violation of the building bylaws without getting prior approval. Incidents like this bring into focus how the nexus between corrupt government elements and greedy factory owners leads to the death of workers. It has become a common phenomenon that industrialists take least care about the health and safety of their workers. There is no concept of health and safety facilities at factories. What is the need of the labour department if it cannot check such violations as well as the building regulatory authorities under whose nose building byelaws are flouted with impunity? It is high time that the concerned authorities paid attention to those structures in the city that pose a threat to human life and limb. Natural disasters cannot be averted but their deadly effects can be reduced through precautionary measures. On November 6, a tremor revisited Lahore and shook hearts and buildings. The authorities concerned need to gird up their loins and act responsibility to save human lives and play their role in averting those tragedies that occur due to negligence and the violation of the law of the land. We need to check these wrongdoings and rise from the rubble to create a better living environment. *