Four injured as stage set up for Wildlife Week celebrations collapses in Keralam’s Thekkady

A temporary stage erected at Thekkady under the Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) for the State-level Wildlife Week inauguration collapsed on Monday, injuring four people.

According to officials, the stage had been set up at the Anavachal parking ground near Thekkady. The incident happened around 1.30 p.m., minutes after the conclusion of the event’s inauguration by Forest Minister Shibu Baby John. Three police officers and a light-and-sound technician sustained injuries.

The injured have been identified as civil police officer (CPO) Subash Balan, 43, of the Vandiperiyar police station, Idukki district headquarters personnel P. Dhanesh, 39, and Anil Prasad, 39, and light-and-sound technician Saji, 49, a resident of Chelimada, Kumily. They were initially rushed to the Kumily Family Health Centre and later shifted to specialty hospitals. The CPO reportedly sustained serious injuries.

Nearly 1,000 people had attended the event, including Peerumade MLA Cyriac Thomas, Poonjar MLA Sebastian M.J., local representatives, schoolchildren, forest officials, and mediapersons. The formal session concluded around 1.00 p.m. A major catastrophe was averted as the crowd and dignitaries had already vacated the premises when the structure gave way. The police personnel, who were resting near the stage area, were struck by falling debris.

There was neither rain nor heavy wind at the time of the incident, raising allegations of severe lapses in structural safety and negligence.

Mr. John has directed officials to submit an immediate inquiry report. Authorities and the police have initiated a probe to determine the cause of the collapse and identify any safety protocol breaches.