68-year-old building collapsed in Kottayam MCH, 1 dead, search launched immediately: Health Minister

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68-year-old building collapsed in Kottayam MCH, 1 dead, search launched immediately: Health Minister
















Onmanorama Staff

Published: July 03 , 2025 03:57 PM IST


Updated: July 03, 2025 04:22 PM IST

2 minute Read

Health Minister Veena George addresses media in Kottayam (left), a view of the building collapsed in Kottayam Medical College. Photo: Manorama

Kottayam: Health Minister Veena George said on Wednesday that she promptly reached Kottayam Medical College Hospital, where an old building collapsed, resulting in one death. Addressing the media, the minister dismissed the opposition’s allegations of a delay in launching the search operation. She added that the 68-year-old building had been in a state of decay since 2013, and the tragic accident occurred while efforts were underway to shift patients and equipment to a newly constructed eight-storey building.

“I have asked the District Collector to carry out a detailed inquiry and submit a report soon,” she said.

Veena George, along with Minister and Ettumanoor MLA VN Vasavan, arrived at the accident site shortly after the incident was reported. She noted that rescue workers encountered difficulties in bringing an earthmover to the site.

“A grill and some boards were removed to take the machine for the search operation. There was no delay in initiating the search. Heavy crowding in the hospital posed a challenge for the fire and rescue team to reach the scene,” the minister stated.

“Initially, the mother of the injured child was reported missing. After making announcements, officials confirmed that she was safe. However, directions were given to launch a search to verify whether anyone was trapped under the rubble,” said Veena, dismissing the opposition’s allegations of a delay in the search.

“There had been reports about the building’s poor condition since 2013. Former Health Minister KK Shailaja and Minister Vasavan made efforts to renovate Kottayam Medical College in 2016. Following this, ₹567 crore was sanctioned by KIIFB for the development of the medical college. Although the funds were sanctioned, the work was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Construction of the new building began in 2021–22. The newly constructed eight-storey building, a new surgical block, has 568 beds, including two ICUs with 21 beds. The tragedy occurred when the government was busy with the final preparations for opening the new block,” said the minister.

(Story to be updated)

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