Bhopal Building Slab Collapse Near AIIMS Injures Eight, Including Seriously Wounded
A tragic incident unfolded in Bhopal on Friday when a slab from an under-construction building housing a medical store near the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) suddenly collapsed, injuring approximately eight people who were standing below. The collapse occurred just a short distance from the prestigious hospital, causing significant alarm and immediate emergency response.
Details of the Collapse and Immediate Aftermath
According to eyewitness accounts and initial reports, the building where the incident took place is an old structure. A medical store was operational on the ground floor, while construction work was actively underway to add three additional floors above it. Eyewitnesses described the slab as protruding outwards before it suddenly gave way, crashing onto a shed below. The heavy debris caused the shed to cave in completely, leading to the injuries of those nearby.
At the time of the collapse, attendants of patients visiting AIIMS had come to the medical store to purchase medicines and were among those injured. Soon after the incident, a large crowd gathered at the spot, adding to the chaos and urgency of the situation.
Condition of the Injured and Hospital Response
Hospital authorities at AIIMS confirmed that out of the eight injured individuals, five were reported to be in serious condition and were admitted to the hospital for intensive care. Among them, 23-year-old Nandini suffered severe injuries, including a deep leg wound from an iron angle that pierced her limb, along with a fracture and serious head injuries. She is currently undergoing treatment at AIIMS.
The other injured include a 19-year-old girl named Tanushree, who sustained injuries to her head and hand; 56-year-old Manoj Kumar from Amrai, with injuries across his body; Abhay, a man from Gwalior, who had his shoulder and chest injured by a falling iron angle; and Somprakash, a 61-year-old man from Umaria, who suffered internal injuries. Three of the injured were discharged after receiving primary treatment, highlighting the varying severity of the cases.
Police Investigation and Accountability
Bag Sewania SHO Amit Soni stated that the police are actively probing the incident to determine the cause of the collapse. He emphasized that action will be taken if any negligence is found against the building owner or others involved in the construction work. This investigation aims to uncover whether safety protocols were followed and to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The collapse has raised concerns about building safety standards in the area, particularly near critical infrastructure like AIIMS. Authorities are urged to ensure strict adherence to construction regulations to safeguard public safety.
