Used washroom of collapsed building, ran in panic, say eyewitnesses; patients refute claim of ministers

KOTTAYAM: The patients of Kottayam Medical College refuted the claim of ministers that the building collapsed is not being used. The patients said the washroom of this building was used by people coming to the hospital. Health Minister Veena George and Minister Vasavan had earlier said that the building was not being used.

Eyewitnesses told media that patients ran from the building in panic at the time of the accident. 'We were using the bathroom in the collapsed building. We have been here for three to four days. Only two bathrooms were being used. The rest are closed,' said a patient's bystander.

Chandy Oommen MLA said there is a serious lapse in the matter. Congress leader V T Balram said what happened was an institutional murder. He also responded that the government and its system are fully responsible for the death. He responded via a Facebook post.

The accident occurred at around 11 am Thursday morning. A very old three-storied building of the Kottayam Medical College collapsed. The orthopedic surgery department was previously operating in this building.

It was first believed that no one was trapped under the building. However, a search was launched after Bindu of Thalayolaparamba was found missing by her husband. Bindu was taken out after being trapped for two and a half hours. Her life could not be saved. A delay in conducting the rescue operations was criticized.