A tragic incident at the Government Medical College Hospital in Kottayam on Thursday led to the death of a 52-year-old woman, D Bindu, following the collapse of part of an old, unused building. The collapse, which occurred around 10:30 am, also injured two others. The delay in rescue efforts has triggered political controversy and public outrage.
Bindu, a resident of Thalayolaparambu in Kottayam, was at the hospital for her daughter Navami’s treatment. According to family members, she had gone to use the bathroom in the collapsed structure, located near the 14th ward in the orthopaedics section. Although the area was considered out of use, the building remained accessible. The collapsed structure was reportedly a 68-year-old bathroom complex.
Eyewitnesses managed to rescue two individuals — 13-year-old Aleena Vincent from Wayanad and hospital staff member Amal Pradeep — both of whom sustained minor injuries. However, Bindu was trapped under the debris for over two hours before rescue workers could reach her. By the time she was pulled out around 1 pm and shifted to the casualty wing, located nearby, she had succumbed to her injuries.
The delay in bringing excavators to the site and initiating rescue efforts has sparked sharp criticism. Health Minister Veena George and Cooperation Minister V N Vasavan, who visited the hospital soon after the incident, initially claimed the building was not operational and that no one was trapped — a statement Opposition leaders allege contributed to the delayed response.
Relatives of Bindu informed authorities only later that she had gone to the bathroom and was untraceable, prompting a more thorough search. Veena George, addressing the media later, denied any negligence in the rescue operations and stated that the district collector has been tasked with conducting an inquiry.
Following the incident, nearby wards were evacuated, causing panic. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who was in Kottayam for other events, also visited the hospital in the evening. The Youth Congress staged protests outside the hospital superintendent’s office, while UDF leaders, including MP K Francis George and MLAs Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan and Chandy Oommen, visited the site.
