Tragedy struck Jamshedpur’s Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College and Hospital (MGMMCH) on Saturday afternoon when the third-floor balcony of the medicine ward collapsed, killing three patients and injuring two others. The incident, which exposed the crumbling state of government healthcare infrastructure in Jharkhand, has sparked outrage and calls for accountability.
According to police and district officials, the collapse occurred around 3:00 pm, shortly after a seminar concluded in the ward’s hall. The falling balcony brought down the second-floor ceiling and corridor, trapping patients under debris. At least 15 patients were inside the ward when the collapse happened.
A 30-member team from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) began rescue operations around 11:00 pm. “It took over 10 hours for the NDRF and fire brigade to extract the bodies,” a rescue official said.
East Singhbhum Deputy Commissioner Ananya Mittal confirmed that the deceased were identified as David Johnson (76), Lukas Simon Tirkey (61), and Srichand Tanti (65). Two others — Sunil Kumar (50) and Renuka Devi (83) — sustained critical injuries. Devi has been shifted to Tata Main Hospital for advanced care.
Tragic personal stories emerged from the wreckage. Eighty-three-year-old Renuka Devi had been admitted along with her visually impaired son, Srichand Tanti, who was being treated for stomach ailments. While Devi was rescued alive, Tanti could not be saved. His body was later recovered by the NDRF.
Hospital superintendent Dr. R.K. Mandhan confirmed the fatalities and said the incident occurred in the medicine ward’s B Block, a section of the hospital constructed in 1960 and reportedly showing signs of structural deterioration for years. Staff had noted falling plaster, cracks in the ceiling, and other visible damages, which had largely gone unaddressed.
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren called the incident “unfortunate” and expressed condolences to the families of the victims. “May Marang Buru bless the departed souls. The health minister and senior officials have been directed to take necessary action and prepare a plan to prevent such tragedies,” he posted on social media.
State Health Minister Dr. Irfan Ansari announced an ex gratia of ₹5 lakh for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured. He also visited the site along with the additional chief secretary of the health department and ordered a high-level inquiry. “The district administration and NDRF are actively managing the rescue and investigation efforts. A full report is expected within a week,” he said.
DC Ananya Mittal confirmed that a formal probe has been launched. An inquiry committee, headed by the Additional Deputy Collector and including engineers and MGMMCH officials, has been instructed to submit its findings within 48 hours.
Meanwhile, political leaders and local representatives have slammed the government over the incident. Jamshedpur (East) MLA Purnima Sahu Das accused the administration of gross negligence. “The health minister had visited just weeks ago. Did he not notice the dilapidated condition of the entire hospital?” she asked.
Former Jharkhand CM Champai Soren echoed similar sentiments, criticizing the government’s reactive approach. “They wait for tragedies like this to happen before responding with inquiries and whitewashes. It’s unacceptable,” he said.
The collapse at MGMMCH has triggered a broader debate about hospital infrastructure and maintenance across Jharkhand, with citizens and experts alike calling for a comprehensive audit of public buildings and urgent reforms in healthcare facility management.
Sources By Agencies
