Kasargod: Gallery collapses at football match - Over 100 injured

Stephan Kayyar
Daijiworld Media Network – Kasargod (EP)

Kasargod, Dec 16: Over a hundred people were injured after a spectators' gallery collapsed at a football match at Bekal on Sunday December 15 night. The injured were admitted to hospitals in Mangalore, Kasargod, Kanangad, Uduma and other places. Six of them are said to be serious.

The gallery fell when just minutes before the inauguration of a floodlit football tournament held under the aegis of Bekal Brothers.

Uduma MLA K Kunhiraman, who was to inaugurate the match, and president of the programme MLA N A Nellikunnu had arrived at the venue and the incident occurred in their presence.

The gallery was constructed around the ground with iron rods and wooden planks.

Police, fire brigade and citizens rescued people from underneath the debris and took them to the hospitals.  More than 1,500 people had arrived to watch the match. The damp ground due to rain on Saturday might have caused the accident, it is said. Women and children were also injured.

Asgar (17), Abdul (18), Junaid (15), Aparna (10), daughter of Rajesh, Riyaz (23), Rashid of Periyatadka (21), Afzal (23), Abdul Khader of Kodikulam (17), Abdul Khader (17), Moidin (30) were among the over 100 people injured.

The first match was scheduled between Mohammadans and Malappuram Saban Kotakkal. Some of the injured are said to be recovering. 

Bekal police have registered criminal cases against the organizers and those who constructed the gallery.  A case is also registered against Brothers Club office-bearers.  Sources said that the gallery was constructed without taking basic precautions and it is alleged that the poles were laid in a pile of mud.

The gallery was said to have been insured for Rs five crore. The tournament has been postponed in view of the accident, said the organizers.