The death of a fire and rescue officer from Kottarakara Fire Force Station while on duty in Kollam has once again brought into focus the life-threatening challenges faced by frontline rescue workers. Soni S Kumar, 36, lost his life on Monday while attempting to save a woman who jumped into a well in Kollam's Neduvathoor.

2002: Vadakara well tragedy claims three lives
One of the most shocking incidents in Kerala’s recent history occurred in 2002 at Vadakara, Kozhikode, when three firefighters died while attempting to rescue two workers trapped in a collapsed well. Five people, including three fire and rescue officers- Ajith Kumar, M Jafar, K K Rajan- perished after a well under construction caved in at Vellikulangara in Vadakara.

When the fire and rescue team arrived, another landslip occurred. Six officers entered the well to rescue the trapped workers, and three were trapped as the ground gave way again. Colleagues and local residents rescued three. The incident exposed the department’s lack of modern equipment and resources. The firefighters had only a safety rope and a makeshift line. The emergency tender, a specialised vehicle for rapid rescue operations, equipped with generators, shovels, gas and concrete cutters, and lighting systems was unavailable. In addition, two vehicles at the fire station were out of service for months.

2009–2010: Kayamkulam gas tanker explosion
Fireman O Sameer of Karunagappally lost his life during a rescue operation after a gas tanker explosion near Puthentheruvuin Kayamkulam on New Year’s eve of 2010. The tanker collided with a car, overturned, and leaked cooking gas, killing 14 people, including two policemen, a fireman, and locals. Sameer succumbed to severe burns on January 14.

2013: Pampa Triveni rescue
In 2013, firefighter Chithendran (41) of Seethathodu Fire Station drowned while trying to secure ropes for stranded Ayyappa devotees at Triveni in Pampa. Rising waters following a release from the Kochupampa dam swept him away at around 2 am as he attempted to tie a rope to the setup used by porters and devotees crossing the river.

2011: Electrocution during rescue
In 2011, a firefighter was electrocuted while rescuing a lineman who collapsed while repairing an 11 kV line. Vinod’s head touched a live wire while trying to rescue Simon, the lineman. The accident was linked to incomplete feeder shutdowns and inadequate warning signage at interlink points connecting Puranattukara and Viyyur 110 kV substations.

2023: Medical warehouse fire
In May 2023, Fire and Rescue Officer Renjith JS died in the line of duty while dousing a fire at a medical warehouse in Thiruvananthapuram. The drug warehouse, owned by the Kerala Medical Services Corporation Limited (KMSCL), located in Kinfra Industrial Park nearby Thumba was destroyed in the fire. The tragedy occurred when a portion of the fire-hit building collapsed, crushing Renjith.