Thekkady pandal collapse
The incident occurred on Oct 5 at Anavachal parking ground in Thekkady, where the temporary structure was erected as part of the Wildlife Week celebrations. Idukki : Police and the forest department have launched separate investigations into the collapse of a temporary pandal and stage set up at the state-level Wildlife Week celebrations, which forest minister Shibu Baby John attended, at Thekkady. The massive pandal, made using iron pipes and corrugated sheets, collapsed about an hour after minister John and other elected representatives had left the venue following the inauguration. Four people, including three police personnel, sustained injuries in the incident. Even three days after the incident, the dismantled portions of the pandal remain at the site. The materials will reportedly be removed only after a public works engineer examines the structure’s construction and prepares a report. The pandal was owned by a resident of Kattappana. Police and the forest department are examining the circumstances that led to the collapse, including the construction and safety aspects of the temporary structure.
A major tragedy was averted as students and other participants had dispersed from the venue before the structure collapsed.