Roof collapses at Kerala school sports meet venue, injuring students, parents; laxity alleged

Thrissur: A roof at the Thrissur Aquatic Complex collapsed during the state school sports meet on Thursday evening, injuring several students and parents who were watching a swimming event.

The incident occurred at around 6.30 pm when sudden rain and strong winds swept through the venue. Tin sheets covering a spectator shelter became detached and crashed onto the crowd gathered underneath.

The shelter collapsed while spectators, young athletes and parents were watching a swimming relay. Initial reports said at least four students and two parents suffered severe injuries, including head wounds.

Up to 10 students are also suspected to have sustained injuries in the incident. Nearby spectators rushed those injured to a neighbouring hospital for treatment.

The sudden collapse caused panic among those gathered at the venue, with parents scrambling to help children caught beneath the fallen sheets.

Parents question safety arrangements

Eyewitnesses and parents criticised the safety arrangements at the venue, alleging that the spectator shelter was a weak sheet structure and that its stability had not been adequately checked.

They also questioned whether weather warnings and the possibility of strong winds had been taken into account before the event.

Attendees further alleged that event organisers and medical first-aid teams were not present at the site immediately after the collapse. Parents reportedly had to take their injured children to hospital themselves.

The mayor, MLA and fire force personnel inspected the site shortly after the incident. However, spectators said sports officials were not present at the scene at the time.

Participants also raised concerns about the overall arrangements, saying the management of this year's meet was poor compared with previous editions.