A routine government meeting in Salem turned into a scene of sudden panic on Thursday afternoon when a loud cracking sound emanated from the floor, sending attendees scrambling for safety.
Sudden Panic in the District Collector's Office
The incident occurred on the third floor of the Salem district collectorate building, where a meeting of the legislative assurances committee was in progress. The gathering, which included officials, teachers, and other members, was being chaired by MLA Velmurugan. The proceedings were abruptly interrupted by a huge noise as the floor tiles beneath them cracked.
Thinking that the floor itself was giving way, everyone in the room, gripped by fear, immediately ran out. The sudden exodus was driven by the instinctive thought that the structural integrity of the floor had been compromised.
Calm Restored, Meeting Resumes
After the initial moments of chaos, the attendees quickly realized that the alarming sound and damage were limited to the tiling and not the concrete slab below. Upon confirming that there was no further danger, they returned to the office room and the meeting continued as scheduled.
What Causes Floor Tiles to Crack?
Such incidents of tile cracking are often attributed to technical faults during installation. Experts point out that air bubbles or voids created by poor laying techniques are a common culprit. These hollow spaces weaken the tile's support, making them susceptible to cracking under pressure or due to temperature variations. Other reasons can include the use of substandard materials or an inadequate adhesive base.
This event highlights the importance of quality checks in public building infrastructure, even for seemingly minor elements like flooring, to prevent such alarming disruptions.
