The suspension of swimming competitions at the state school sports meet has triggered protests after a temporary tin-sheet roof collapsed at the Thrissur Aquatic Complex, injuring 14 students, parents and spectators. The incident occurred on Thursday evening, and the competition was suspended on Friday as questions grew over safety arrangements at the venue.
Union minister of state Suresh Gopi visited the injured at a hospital on Friday. Reports cited by Times of India said all but one of those injured had been discharged. The available report did not provide details about the nature or severity of the remaining person’s injuries.
The collapse occurred over the spectators’ gallery at the aquatic complex while the state school sports meet was under way. The incident has drawn criticism from political organisations, the district Parent-Teachers’ Association and others, who alleged that adequate safety arrangements had not been put in place for an event involving school students and large numbers of families and spectators.
Parents and students also protested the suspension of the swimming competition. They said participating students had missed several classes while preparing for the event and that families had incurred financial losses in connection with their participation. The authorities have not yet clarified when or where the deferred competition will be held.
The incident has also opened a dispute over administrative responsibility for organising the meet. BJP activists marched to the aquatic complex and demanded the resignation of sports minister O J Janeesh, holding him responsible for the collapse. The report did not include a response from the minister to the demand.
Office-bearers of the district sports council, meanwhile, alleged that efforts were being made to shift responsibility to the council. They said the education department, rather than the sports council, was responsible for organising the event. The competing claims have left the question of institutional accountability unresolved in the immediate aftermath of the collapse.
The suspension means the event’s organisers must still determine both a safe venue and a revised schedule for the swimming competition. No decision on those arrangements had been announced in the available report.