Kottayam (Kerala): At least 16 students were injured on Friday when a temporary gallery collapsed during a programme organised at a private college in Kottayam to mark the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, according to college sources.

The incident took place around 8.45 am, the sources said.

The injured students were reportedly part of various National Cadet Corps (NCC) and National Service Scheme (NSS) units attending the event.

According to a college official, “The gallery collapsed when the students were asked to stand on it to take a count of their numbers.”

The collapse caused several students to sustain injuries as “their legs got caught in-between the collapsed gallery portions,” the source added.

The injured students were immediately rushed to Pala General Hospital and nearby private hospitals for treatment.

College authorities confirmed that “none of the students were seriously injured”.

PTI