Negligence claims life; woman dies as portion of medical college building in Kottayam collapses, opposition launches widespread protest

KOTTAYAM: A grave case of negligence resulted in the tragic death of a woman who was left trapped for almost two hours under the rubble of a collapsed building at Kottayam Medical College. Officials initially minimized the seriousness of the incident by labelling the structure as "not in use," which led to a critical delay in rescue efforts.

Public outrage intensified across the state, with the opposition demanding the resignation of Health Minister Veena George, who initially claimed that only three people had sustained minor injuries. The incident followed close on the heels of a damning revelation by Dr. Haris Chirakkal, head of the Urology Department at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College, who exposed how surgeries had been halted due to lack of equipment.

The collapsed section was part of the toilet complex of a 68-year-old building. D. Bindu (52), a garment factory employee and resident of Thalayolaparambu Ummankunnu Meppathukunnel, lost her life. She had entered the toilet to bathe while attending to her daughter Navami (20), who was undergoing treatment in the Neuro Trauma Care Unit following surgery. Navami is a nursing student at Apollo Hospital in Andhra Pradesh.

Others injured in the incident, which occurred around 10:50 AM yesterday, included Alina Vincent (11), who was accompanying her grandmother Thresyamma (a post-surgery patient from Wayanad), Jinu Saji (38), and emergency department staff member Amal Pradeep (20). Initial rescue efforts saved these individuals, leading authorities to wrongly assume that no one else was trapped. The search only resumed when Navami reported that her mother was missing. Bindu was found around 1 PM and taken to the emergency unit, but could not be saved.

Patients from six nearby wards were evacuated to the surgical block as a precaution. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan visited the site in the evening to assess the situation. Bindu’s funeral is scheduled for 11 AM today at her home premises. Her son, Navaneeth, is a civil engineer.

Building found to be in use
Authorities initially asserted that the collapsed structure was out of use, but this was later proven wrong. The second floor, where the toilet collapsed, housed Wards 10, 11, and 14—functioning units for neurology, general medicine, orthopaedics, and surgery. Even post-surgery patients were admitted there. Only the toilet section in Ward 14 had been closed due to leakage and wall damage. However, no warning signs or restrictions were in place. A structural assessment conducted as early as 2013 had already declared the building unsafe. Although a new block was constructed to replace it, it remains unopened to date.

Ministers misled, search delayed
Ministers V.N. Vasavan and Veena George, who were attending a regional review meeting just 1.5 km away, rushed to the site after the incident but were initially informed that only three people had been affected. This incorrect briefing, given by hospital officials who falsely claimed the building was out of use, led to delays in rescue efforts.

Superintendent takes responsibility
Hospital superintendent Dr. T.K. Jayakumar accepted responsibility for the incident. He said they initially received information that only two people were injured and based their decisions on reports from the police and fire service. Although the building was deemed weak, he stated that there were no conditions to fully vacate or stop operations in the area.

“This incident is extremely distressing. We will take all necessary measures to prevent such occurrences. We cannot take preemptive action for every incident. A proper investigation is necessary. The building was among the first constructed when the Medical College began. Although its age was noted in 2013, no one followed up with an investigation or fund allocation. The Left government has approved Rs 526 crore for the surgical block and super specialty expansion. It includes 565 beds and 14 operation theatres. 99% of the construction is complete.”
– Minister V.N. Vasavan

“The district collector has been assigned to investigate. Rescue operations were not delayed. The collapsed structure was an old building. As soon as we were informed, rescue operations began. It was difficult to bring in equipment like JCB machines.”
– Minister Veena George

Timeline of events:
10:50 AM: Section of the building collapses; injured victims rescued.

11:15 AM: Ministers Veena George and V.N. Vasavan arrive on site.

11:45 AM: JCB and other equipment arrive for search operations.

12:50 PM: Search begins.

1:00 PM: Bindu is found and rushed to emergency, but declared dead.