Thodupuzha: Two people were killed and two others seriously injured after a concrete slab of a building collapsed on them at Muthalakodam in Thodupuzha on Monday afternoon.

The deceased have been identified as Joy PJ (60), of Pulimuttil, Kothamangalam, and Anoop of Malayinkeezhu. The injured are migrant workers Govindaraj (44), a native of Rajapalayam, and Mithil Mandal (25), a native of West Bengal. Both sustained serious injuries.

The incident occurred around 3.30 pm while demolition work was underway at Sanjo Bhavan, an old-age home run by priests near Muthalakodam Girls High School.

The concrete slab, measuring around 50 metres in length, suddenly collapsed on the workers engaged in demolition work beneath it. Four workers were trapped under the slab, while two others had gone outside to have tea at the time of the accident.

Employees of a private hospital at Muthalakodam and personnel from the Thodupuzha Fire and Rescue Services rushed to the spot and rescued the workers. All four were taken to a nearby hospital, where doctors confirmed the deaths of Joy and Anoop.

Anoop was trapped under the slab and suffered fatal injuries, with the lower part of his body severed in the collapse.
Govindaraj and Mithil Mandal are undergoing treatment.

Joy had undertaken the contract to demolish the building and dismantle its wooden structures. Demolition work had been underway at the building for the past two weeks as preparations were being made to construct a new building at the site.

The upper portion of the roof, including the rafters and sheets, had been removed on Sunday, a day before the accident.

Police said they had not been informed about the demolition work being carried out at the site. “We were not informed about the work. They undertook it at their own risk,” an officer said.

Officials are investigating whether there were any violations in the construction and demolition work carried out at the site. Further details will be available as the probe progresses.

Personnel from the Thodupuzha Fire and Rescue Services and police jointly carried out the rescue operation.

The bodies will be handed over to the relatives after post-mortem examinations. The nearly 30-year-old building is owned by the Kothamangalam Diocese.

Anoop is survived by his wife, Jisha, a teacher at Maliyinkeezhu Fr J B M UP School, and their children Edwin, Abel and Emmanuel, all students.
Joy is survived by his wife, Laly, and children Lijo and Alphonsa.