Rescue operation not delayed; Collector John V Samuel submits report on Kottayam Medical College building collapse

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: An investigation report has been submitted into the Kottayam Medical College building collapse accident. District Collector John V Samuel reached Thiruvananthapuram and handed over the investigation report to the Additional Chief Secretary of the Health Department. The investigation report states that the rescue operation was not delayed in the accident.

Bindu, a housewife who had come to aid her daughter, had died when the building collapsed. This led to widespread protests in the state. The government later asked the collector to submit an investigation report. The report submitted by John V. Samuel states that there were no official reports on the deterioration of the building. A comprehensive report has been submitted.

The three-storey building of the Medical College collapsed on July 3. Bindu, a native of Thalayolaparambu, died. She was pulled out after being trapped for two and a half hours. She died shortly after being pulled out from the rubble.

Bindu's daughter said that her mother, who had gone to the toilet in the collapsed building, did not return and that she was not answering her phone calls. With this, the fire brigade and police brought in a JCB and inspected the scene. Bindu was unconscious when she was pulled out. She was then taken to the emergency department and given emergency treatment, but her life could not be saved. The collapsed building previously housed the orthopaedic surgery department. The restroom was also located in this building.