Collector Adeela Abdulla and assistant collector Balpreet Singh examining the accident spot | Photo: Sreejith P Raj
Kalpetta: After a lorry rammed into a multi-storeyed hotel on the national highway in Vellaramkunnu here on Monday, the locals were anxious about the safety in the area. The building started leaning sideways under the impact of collision. The presence of petrol pump nearby only increased the tension.
The accident took place after 4 in the morning. The lorry loaded with cement hit a tempo traveller and cars in a used car showroom near Vellaramkunnu and then rammed into the hotel building. Six electric posts also were damaged in the accident.
The fire force rescued the driver after cutting portions of cabin. There were 16 travellers including women and children in the tempo. They were hospitalised with minor injuries.
The hotel building had a basement and three storeys. As three pillars were destroyed in the collision, it started falling sideways two hours after the mishap. Later, four more pillars fell and the building nearly collapsed. With this, traffic was disrupted on the route.
The demolition of building continued till night. As the building was located in a residential area, the demolition process was progressing carefully. Collector Adeela Abdulla, minister A K Saseendran, district panchayat president Samshad and others visited the place and examined the situation.
The building owners were devastated on knowing about the mishap. The building was constructed in 2016. A tourist home and café were functioning in the building. A loss of Rs 2.5 crore is estimated.
The café used to function even during night before COVID times. The lorry ran into the place where the staff used to sleep. Two employees were present on the top storey of the building, but they escaped unhurt.
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