<p>Thiruvananthapuram: A 56-year-old woman was killed and two suffered injuries after a building of the government medical college hospital at Kottayam in Kerala collapsed on Thursday.</p><p>The incident triggered strong protest against the CPI (M) government, especially health minister Veena Geroge who tried to justify the incident by citing the steps taken to construct the new building to replace the over 60-year-old building. The initial statement of the health minister as well as cooperation minister and local MLA V N Vasavan that it was a vacant building had allegedly delayed the search operation among the debris by around two hours.</p><p>The incident also took place amidst the row over a senior doctor in government service openly coming out against the delay in supply of surgical equipment affecting surgeries.</p>.Comfort over Khadi? Congress leader in Kerala laments over new-gen leaders deserting traditional attire .<p>A portion of the three storey building of the Kottayam medical college collapsed by around 11 am. Bindu, a native of Thalayolaparambu in Kottayam, died, while two others had a narrow escape with minor injuries. The three were in the washroom portion that collapsed. Panicked patients and by-standers in the nearby portions of the building rushed to other areas. Bed ridden patients were lifted along with the bed.</p><p>The health minister and cooperation minister who were attending a district level review meeting by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in the district rushed to the spot. They told reporters that since the block was closed, there was no chance for any casualty except for the minor injuries caused to the two.</p><p>However, after the family members of Bindu alerted that she was missing a search using earth mover was carried out and Bindu spotted among the debris. Though she was rushed to the hospital, life could not be saved. Bindu was a by-stander of her daughter Navamy who is under treatment.</p><p>The health minister who visited the spot again stated that it was based on the information from hospital authorities that she earlier said that the block that collapsed was unoccupied. She also said that the rescue operations were delayed owing to the difficulties in bringing earth mover to the protest. She also elaborated on the steps taken by the government for replacing the dilapidated building with a new one.</p><p>Patients and by-standers said that the washrooms that collapsed were being frequently used by them and there was no warning sign about the dilapidated condition of the building. </p><p>The opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front launched a strong protest across the state.</p><p>Opposition leader V D Satheesan said that the health minister should resign by taking moral responsibility.</p><p>Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who made a brief visit to the hospital by evening, did not make any statements.</p>
<p>Thiruvananthapuram: A 56-year-old woman was killed and two suffered injuries after a building of the government medical college hospital at Kottayam in Kerala collapsed on Thursday.</p><p>The incident triggered strong protest against the CPI (M) government, especially health minister Veena Geroge who tried to justify the incident by citing the steps taken to construct the new building to replace the over 60-year-old building. The initial statement of the health minister as well as cooperation minister and local MLA V N Vasavan that it was a vacant building had allegedly delayed the search operation among the debris by around two hours.</p><p>The incident also took place amidst the row over a senior doctor in government service openly coming out against the delay in supply of surgical equipment affecting surgeries.</p>.Comfort over Khadi? Congress leader in Kerala laments over new-gen leaders deserting traditional attire .<p>A portion of the three storey building of the Kottayam medical college collapsed by around 11 am. Bindu, a native of Thalayolaparambu in Kottayam, died, while two others had a narrow escape with minor injuries. The three were in the washroom portion that collapsed. Panicked patients and by-standers in the nearby portions of the building rushed to other areas. Bed ridden patients were lifted along with the bed.</p><p>The health minister and cooperation minister who were attending a district level review meeting by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in the district rushed to the spot. They told reporters that since the block was closed, there was no chance for any casualty except for the minor injuries caused to the two.</p><p>However, after the family members of Bindu alerted that she was missing a search using earth mover was carried out and Bindu spotted among the debris. Though she was rushed to the hospital, life could not be saved. Bindu was a by-stander of her daughter Navamy who is under treatment.</p><p>The health minister who visited the spot again stated that it was based on the information from hospital authorities that she earlier said that the block that collapsed was unoccupied. She also said that the rescue operations were delayed owing to the difficulties in bringing earth mover to the protest. She also elaborated on the steps taken by the government for replacing the dilapidated building with a new one.</p><p>Patients and by-standers said that the washrooms that collapsed were being frequently used by them and there was no warning sign about the dilapidated condition of the building. </p><p>The opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front launched a strong protest across the state.</p><p>Opposition leader V D Satheesan said that the health minister should resign by taking moral responsibility.</p><p>Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who made a brief visit to the hospital by evening, did not make any statements.</p>