Thu Jul 03 14:11:00 UTC 2025: **News Article:**
**One Dead, Protests Erupt After Building Collapse at Kerala Government Hospital**
KOTTAYAM, INDIA – July 3, 2025 – Chaos and widespread protests erupted at the Government Medical College Hospital in Kottayam today after an old building on the hospital grounds collapsed, resulting in one fatality. The incident has sparked outrage and accusations of negligence against hospital authorities and the state government.
Youth Congress activists, led by MLA Chandy Oommen, immediately blocked the hospital superintendent’s office, protesting what they described as official apathy. Members from other political parties, including the BJP, Kerala Congress, and Social Democratic Party of India, joined in with separate demonstrations, condemning the alleged lack of oversight in maintaining the building.
Tensions further escalated as bystanders, including relatives of patients, disputed the hospital’s claim that the building was unused. They alleged that the building, including its toilet facilities, was still in use prior to the collapse.
Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan placed blame squarely on the government, stating, “It was based on a statement by the Health and Cooperation Ministers that no one was inside the building that rescue operations were delayed. That statement alone cost a life.”
Congress leaders K.C. Venugopal and Ramesh Chennithala also issued strong statements condemning the alleged negligence.
The Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan visited the accident site in the evening, but was met with black flag protests by Youth Congress workers.
The investigation into the cause of the collapse and the delay in rescue efforts is ongoing.
**Summary:**
An old building collapsed at the Government Medical College Hospital in Kottayam, Kerala, resulting in one death and triggering widespread protests. Political parties and relatives of patients accuse hospital authorities and the state government of negligence and delayed rescue efforts. The opposition leader blames the government’s misinformed statement for the delay in rescue efforts, ultimately costing a life. The chief minister’s visit was met with protests, and an investigation is underway.
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