What Led to the Tragic Balcony Collapse in Jamshedpur?
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Synopsis
A tragic incident unfolded in Jamshedpur when a hospital balcony collapsed, leading to three fatalities and critical injuries. This catastrophic event has raised serious concerns about hospital safety standards and government accountability. Discover how officials are responding and what measures are being implemented to prevent future disasters.
Key Takeaways
- Three fatalities occurred due to the balcony collapse at MGM Medical College.
- The Jharkhand government is providing financial compensation to the victims' families.
- A committee has been formed to investigate the incident.
- Local leaders have criticized the administration for its negligence.
- Emergency response teams worked tirelessly during the rescue operations.
Jamshedpur, May 4 (NationPress) Three patients have tragically lost their lives, and one individual is in critical condition following the collapse of a balcony in the Medicine Department corridor of Mahatma Gandhi Memorial (MGM) Medical College and Hospital in Jamshedpur, according to officials on Sunday.
The incident occurred on Saturday around 4 p.m. when the balcony, situated on the third floor of the facility, unexpectedly caved in, resulting in debris falling onto patients resting below in the corridor. This sudden collapse incited panic as individuals hurried to escape the ensuing chaos.
Five individuals found themselves trapped beneath the debris. Rescue operations led by police and fire teams commenced around 4:30 p.m., supported by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and continued until 1 a.m. By 9 p.m., two bodies had been retrieved, with the final victim recovered around 1 a.m.
The deceased have been identified as David Johnson, aged 73 from Sakchi, Lucas Simon Tirkey, aged 61, and Srichand Tanti, aged 65 from Saraikela.
Among the survivors, Renuka Devi and Sunil Kumar were rescued, though Renuka remains in critical condition.
The Jharkhand government has pledged compensation of Rs 5 lakh each for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 each for the injured. A three-member committee has been established to investigate the incident.
Jharkhand Health Minister Irfan Ansari visited the hospital around 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, promising strict action against those deemed responsible.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren expressed his condolences to the grieving families and wished a swift recovery for the injured, also vowing to implement a long-term action plan to avert similar incidents.
This incident has raised significant concerns regarding the maintenance of hospital infrastructure. Locals and opposition leaders have criticized the administration for negligence, claiming that warnings about the building's deteriorating state were disregarded.
Former Chief Minister Raghubar Das stated, “Innocent lives have been lost due to government negligence. It is crucial for the administration to take action and ensure such tragedies do not recur.”
Jharkhand BJP President Babulal Marandi has called for a high-level investigation and stringent action against those accountable, also offering prayers for the deceased and injured.
Point of View
This devastating incident underscores the urgent need for enhanced scrutiny of public infrastructure. The loss of lives due to negligence is unacceptable, and it is imperative that thorough investigations lead to accountability and reforms to prevent such tragedies in the future.
NationPress
11/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the balcony collapse?
The exact cause of the balcony collapse is currently under investigation, but concerns have been raised about the maintenance of the hospital infrastructure.
How many people were affected?
Three patients lost their lives, and one person was critically injured, while five individuals were initially trapped under the debris.
What actions has the government taken?
The Jharkhand government has announced compensation for the victims' families and formed a committee to investigate the incident.
Who are the victims?
The deceased have been identified as David Johnson, Lucas Simon Tirkey, and Srichand Tanti, all from the Jamshedpur area.
What measures are being implemented to prevent future incidents?
The Chief Minister has promised a long-term action plan focused on improving hospital safety standards and infrastructure.
