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Miraculous escape for Union Finance Minister

Staff Reporter

A 200 foot-long tin roof `pandal' fell on 500 others also following strong wind and heavy rain

ILAYANKUDI: The Union Finance Minister, P. Chidambaram, and 500 others had a miraculous escape when a 200 foot-long tin roof`pandal' fell on them following strong wind and heavy rain.

The Minister was speaking at a function held here on Monday to inaugurate Indian Oil Corporation's Liquefied Petroleum Gas bottling plant, established at a cost of Rs.10 crores, when the accident happened.

When Mr. Chidambaram reached the spot at 5.15 p.m., the sky was overcast. After visiting the plant, he walked to the venue along with other dignitaries. The function began amidst strong wind and thundershowers. Though it disrupted the proceedings, the organisers continued the programme assuming that the rain would not cause any major problem. After a brief speech from the IOC Chairman, Sarthak Behuria, and the Member of Parliament, E.M. Sudarsana Natchiappan, the Minister was asked to speak.

By the time Mr. Chidambaram stood before the podium, the velocity of the wind increased along with heavy rain. Realising the danger, he asked the pressmen to collect his speech copy from the organisers. However, within a few seconds, the 200 foot-long pandal, made up of tin sheet, collapsed and fell on the Minister and 500 others, who were present. It resulted in chaos and confusion and no one including security personnel and the police knew what had happened to Mr. Chidambaram, who was trapped under the pandal.

On information, fire service personnel and ambulances rushed to the venue. They rescued the Minister and sent him to the Circuit House at Sivaganga, where a team of doctors gave him first aid. Later, he was taken to private hospital in Madurai from where he left for Chennai by air.

Almost all those who attended the function received minor injuries. Nearly 50 people were admitted to nearby Government and private hospitals at Ilayankudi, Sivaganga and Paramakudi.

Many photographers of leading dailies received injuries. S. James, photographer of The Hindu and Chandran, cameraman of NDTV, were among those injured.

The Collector, Anand Patil, said that the Minister was safe. Instructions were given to extend full medical aid to those injured. The exact cause of the accident would be known only after thorough investigation.

Providential escape

Mr. Chidambaram and 500 others were safe because of one man, who switched off power supply within a few seconds of the accident. Otherwise, the situation would have been different.

Security men, fire service personnel and others had no idea about what to do as there was a heavy rain. But a few people shouted for help to switch off the power immediately. Soon, the power was off but there was no information about the man who saved nearly 500 people.

Thereafter, the people, who were trapped under the collapsed roof, began to come out on their own. Fire service personnel also did a good job. Most of the policemen, who were present at the venue, were seen saving their lives.

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