Date:17/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/17/stories/2008101751310800.htm

Tamil Nadu

3 killed and 12 hurt in canopy collapse

Staff Reporter

TIRUNELVELI: Three persons, including two women, were killed and 12 others injured when the concrete canopy in front of a ration shop at Vasudevanallur collapsed on Wednesday.

Condition of all injured, who have been admitted to Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital, is reportedly “stable”.

Serious cracks developed in the roof of the concrete cover due to poor quality of construction and the recent incessant drizzling are said to be the reasons for the mishap.

According to eyewitnesses, more than 100 ration cardholders, mostly women agricultural labourers, had gathered in front of the ration shop on Tenkasi Main Road in Vasudevanallur, to buy kerosene.

Since the officials had instructed the cardholders to buy the fuel on a single day, crowd was gradually swelling in front of the shop even as it was drizzling intermittently.

As the Reinforced Cement Concrete covering in front of the main ration shop building caved in suddenly around 9.15 a.m., G. Chellammal (55) of Vasudevanallur died on the spot and F. Muthu Vaappa (55) of Chinthamani Thaeriputhur and P. Selvathaai (42) of Vasudevanallur died on the way to the hospital.