Ten people killed in Manipal hospital roof collapse (news update)

The number of people-- who were killed when the roof of Manipal Teaching Hospital (MTH) in western town of Pokhara collapsed Thursday – has reached ten.

MTH is the first private sector medical college in the country run by the Manipal Group of India.

Manipal teaching hospital building, Pokhara (Photo source: www.pokharacity.com)

According to the hospital authorities, those killed include two employees at the hospital. The victims were trapped when nearly 70-ft high corrugated tin roof of the six-storey main building collapsed this afternoon. The roof was constructed to provide shelter to the patients and their relatives.

Staff of the hospital, security personnel and local people had helped in rescuing those trapped and recovering the bodies. Over half a dozen people, injured in the incident, are undergoing treatment at the same hospital. Rescue work was hampered due to the heavy downpour.

Security personnel and general people involved in rescue operation at Manipal Teaching Hospital premises in Pokhara Thursday. (Photo source: www.thehimalayantimes.com)

After an emergency meeting, the hospital management has announced compensation to the families of victims and free treatment to those who were injured. A spokesman of the hospital said an investigation would be launched to determine the cause of the roof collapse.

The Manipal College of Medical Sciences launched its MBBS programme in 1994. But the Manipal Teaching hospital – that has 700-bed facility—was inaugurated formally only in 1998. It is located at Pokhara municipality ward no. 11, Fulbari.

The Manipal Education and Medical Group of India owns and runs the college in Pokhara. The Group got its name from Manipal village in Karnataka state of India. nepalnews.com by Oct 20 05