Thu May 08 15:26:31 UTC 2025: **Kerala Hospital Mortuary Malfunction Leads to Body Decomposition**
KOCHI, Kerala—A malfunctioning cold storage unit at the Aluva Government District Hospital mortuary in Ernakulam is suspected to have caused the rapid decomposition of a 46-year-old man’s body, according to a preliminary Health Department assessment.
The deceased, Sabu, from Alappuzha district, died on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, after experiencing chest pains. His body was transferred to the mortuary pending a post-mortem at the Government Medical College, Ernakulam.
On Wednesday, May 7, 2025, relatives discovered Sabu’s body in a state of advanced decomposition, prompting a complaint from Arunjith P.A., a local panchayat member. He reported a strong odor emanating from the mortuary and confirmed that the cold storage unit was not functioning properly despite the indicator light being on.
Following the discovery, the body was briefly returned to the district hospital as a form of protest before being transported to Kodamthuruthu. Hospital authorities acknowledged the malfunction of the cold storage unit.
The Health Department has launched an inquiry into the incident. The preliminary investigation indicates that the cold storage unit was not cooling, despite the functioning indicator light. Only one body was in the mortuary at the time of the incident.
First Piper 