Two workers die as slab collapses during demolition of Kerala church rest home

Two workers were killed and two others injured on Monday when a concrete slab collapsed on them during the demolition of a building at Muthalakkodam, near Thodupuzha in Idukki district.

The deceased have been identified as Joy P.J., 61, of Kothamangalam, and Anoop Mathew, 45, of Malayinkeezhu. The injured — Mithil Mandal, 25, of Assam, and Govindaraj of Rajapalayam, Tamil Nadu — are in critical condition at a hospital.

The accident occurred around 3:45 p.m. near Muthalakkodam Girls High School. The structure, Sanjo Bhavan, was a retirement home for priests of the Kothamangalam diocese of the Syro-Malabar Church. Church authorities had decided to replace it with a new rest home and awarded the demolition contract to Joy.

While workers were removing timber from the building, a concrete sunshade slab gave way and trapped all four men under the debris. Rescue teams from the Kerala Fire and Rescue Services and local police pulled them out and rushed them to St. George Hospital, where two were declared dead on arrival.

Fr. Jose Kulathoor, Chancellor of the Kothamangalam Diocese, said the diocese had obtained the required permits from the Thodupuzha Municipality for both demolition and new construction. Priests had already been moved out of the old building before work began.

Idukki District Collector Dineshan Cheruvatt has sought an immediate report. Thodupuzha Deputy Superintendent of Police Saji Markose said investigators will examine whether any safety norms were violated during the demolition process.