A tragic incident occurred at the Government Medical College Hospital in Kottayam, Kerala, on Thursday, July 3, 2025, when a portion of a building collapsed, resulting in the death of a 56-year-old woman and injuries to two others. The collapse took place around 10:45 am in the bathroom area located behind wards 14 and 11.
The deceased has been identified as Bindu, a resident of Thalayolaparambu in the Kottayam district. She was at the hospital as a bystander for her daughter, who was receiving treatment. According to reports, Bindu had gone to the bathroom on the third floor of the building when the structure collapsed.
Initial reports indicated that the collapsed section was part of an old building that authorities claimed was not in active use. However, local residents and eyewitnesses disputed this, stating that the washroom was regularly used by hospital visitors. Some bystanders even claimed to have used the restrooms shortly before the collapse.
Following the incident, Health Minister Veena George stated that the situation was under control and that there were no serious injuries. Cooperation Minister VN Vasavan echoed this statement, saying that the structure was not in use and no major casualties were expected. However, these claims were quickly contradicted when Bindu's body was recovered from under the debris nearly two hours after the collapse.
The delay in the rescue operation has sparked outrage and allegations of negligence. According to reports, the search was intensified only after Bindu's daughter, who was under treatment at the hospital, raised the alarm about her missing mother. Congress MLA Chandy Ommen alleged that the rescue was delayed because the ministers had stated the building was not in use.
The incident has also drawn attention to the state's infrastructure safety and healthcare system. Just days before the Kottayam tragedy, a two-storey building in Thrissur collapsed, killing at least two migrant workers. Furthermore, a senior doctor from Thiruvananthapuram Medical College recently spoke out about significant delays in the supply of surgical equipment.
Eyewitnesses at the scene described a heavy thud as the building came down. Fire and rescue personnel, along with the Gandhinagar police, conducted search operations. Two others, including an 11-year-old girl and a hospital staff member, sustained injuries and were admitted to the casualty department.
The collapse involved a three-story building that housed restrooms adjacent to ward number 14. Health Minister Veena George and Minister V.N. Vasavan visited the site to assess the situation, along with Rajan Khobragade, Additional Chief Secretary of the Health Department. The ministers reiterated that the damaged section was an old, disused toilet area in a block housing three wards.
The incident has led to widespread protests, with opposition parties like the Congress and BJP criticizing the government's response and alleging negligence. Concerns have been raised about the safety and maintenance of public infrastructure, as well as the efficiency of rescue operations in emergency situations.
