Kochi: Four people, including two children, were injured when a portion of the ceiling collapsed during a dance event organised for a television channel. The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. on Monday at the Girinagar Community Hall in Ernakulam.

The mishap took place when sections of the hall’s gypsum board ceiling fell in the middle of the overcrowded venue. Fortunately, none of the injuries were reported to be serious.

The injured included Daksha (12), daughter of Shijo from Jawahar Nagar, Kadavanthra, and her mother Chitra, along with Amritha (17), daughter of Sunil Kumar from Puthenkurish. All three were admitted to Indira Gandhi Co-operative Hospital in Kadavanthra. According to hospital sources, Daksha required stitches for a head injury.

Another injured attendee, Dr Lakshmi Unnikrishnan, a general medicine doctor at Aster Medcity, also sustained a head injury and is under treatment. She received seven stapling stitches. Lakshmi had attended the event as her daughter was participating in the programme.

Panic broke out immediately following the ceiling collapse, with parents rushing their children to hospital. The event, titled Dance War, had begun at 6:00 a.m. and drew a crowd of over 300 children along with parents and dance instructors. The competition involved multiple groups of children up to 18 years of age.

“The ceiling collapsed just moments before our turn. Everyone screamed in panic. We were lucky to escape unharmed,” said Geetha, who had travelled from Elavanchery in Palakkad with her children.

No Prior Permission for the Event

The programme had not received prior permission from the Corporation, said Malini Kurup, a councillor and standing committee chairperson, who visited the site.

“As per regulations, any paid, registered event must obtain official approval from the Corporation,” she stated.

Following the incident, cops from Ernakulam South Police Station visited the venue. No official complaints have been lodged with the police, so no case has been registered.

The hall, which is owned by the Ernakulam Co-operative Construction Society, currently hosts badminton coaching sessions.