NewsKarnataka – Kasargod
Kasargod : Over 100 persons sustained injuries when a gallery collapsed minutes before the inaugural of a football tournament at Bekal on December 15, Sunday night. The condition of six of the injured is said to be critical. The injured have been rushed to various hospitals in Mangalore, Kasargod, Kanhangad and Uduma.
The tragedy occurred at around 8 pm when the flood-lit football tournament organised by Bekal Brothers Sports Club was about to be inaugurated. The inaugurator K Kunhiraman, the MLA of Uduma and NA Nellikunnu, MLA of Kasargod who was to preside had already arrived and the gallery collapsed right before their eyes.
The gallery was constructed using wooden planks and iron rods. The Fire Service personnel, policemen and locals rushed to the help of the hundreds who were caught under the debris.
It is learnt, over 1500 people had gathered to witness the event. It is said the moisture in the ground due to Saturday night’s rain led to the incident. The injured included women and children too.
The Bekal police have registered a case against the organisers Bekal Brothers Club and those who constructed the gallery. It is learnt, there was a Rs 5 crore insurance for the gallery. The tournament has been postponed following the tragedy.