On the fateful evening of Monday, June 3rd, Rubina Bibi (32 years old), the younger sister of Waris Masih (40 years old), along with her husband Yaqoob Masih and their four children, arrived at her brother’s house for a casual visit. Waris Masih and his family were delighted to have the guests and prepared dinner for them. Around 9:00 pm, as both families were ready to eat, a heavy wind blew, prompting them to seek safety in the room. Just as they entered, a boundary wall from the roof of Riaz Masih’s house fell onto Waris Masih’s roof, causing it to collapse.
Tahira Bibi (35 years old), the mother of Numan Masih, spoke with tears in her eyes to BACA, saying, “I have lost my youngest son. I can never forget him. He was so dear to me.”
Waris Masih recounted to BACA, “We had just entered the room when the roof collapsed.”
Yaqoob Masih also shared his experience with BACA, saying, “We were all under the debris of the fallen roof. Our neighbors rescued us.” He added, “I have lost my two innocent daughters.”
Both families were trapped under the debris of the collapsed roof. Neighbors and community members quickly gathered to rescue them, but tragically, Numan Waris, Sawera Yaqoob, and Sunita Yaqoob had already lost their lives. Other children, including Benny Hinn Yaqoob (7 years old), Neha Yaqoob (4 years old), Komal Waris (11 years old), Shamas Waris (9 years old), and Emmanuel Waris (6 years old), sustained injuries to their heads and various parts of their bodies. They were taken to Tehsil Headquarters Hospital Kasur for treatment. Waris Masih and Yaqoob Masih also suffered head and foot injuries.
On June 4th, the bodies of Numan Waris, Sawera Yaqoob, and Sunita Yaqoob were buried in a local graveyard after funeral rites. The BACA team attended the funeral and covered the funeral costs for the families.
Waris Masih told BACA that he had built his house after borrowing Rs. 400,000 (£1,142), a debt he has not yet repaid. He lamented, “I have lost my children and my home and most of my possessions are ruined. I am suffering like Job from the Bible. I feel heartbroken.”
Waris Masih works as a brick maker at a local brick-making factory, striving to support his five children: Shamil Waris (13 years old), Komal Waris (11 years old), Shamas Waris (9 years old), Emmanuel Waris (6 years old), and the late Numan Waris (2 years old). His wife, Tahira Bibi, works as a maid in the homes of local Muslims. Following the tragedy, they have temporarily moved to the house of Waris Masih’s father, Ruldu Masih (65 years old), who lives nearby.
The family barely makes enough money to place food on the table and now faces a life of destitution unless people come forward to support them. Waris Masih has asked BACA to help fund a new roof, which will cost around £2,000. The British Asian Christian Association has initiated an appeal to support his family. You can help restore their home by donating (here).
Waris Masih told BACA, “I cannot return to my home until I rebuild it, our lives have been destroyed”
Yaqoob Masih supports his four surviving children by driving a rickshaw in Kasur city, while his wife, Rubina Bibi, works as a maid in the homes of local Muslims.
Juliet Chowdhry, said:
