A 46-year-old woman died after a tree fell inside the premises of Kolkata’s SSKM Hospital on Monday, injuring two other people. The incident occurred outside the Urology department’s outpatient section as heavy rain and gusty winds lashed parts of southern Bengal.
The deceased has been identified as Rahida Bibi, a resident of Nalhati in Birbhum. She had travelled to Kolkata with a family member who was undergoing treatment at the hospital.
According to hospital authorities, Rahida was sitting on a concrete bench outside the Urology department along with several other relatives when the tree suddenly fell.
She was immediately taken to the hospital’s Trauma Care Centre. Despite efforts to save her, doctors declared her dead.
Two other people were injured in the incident. They have been identified as 68-year-old Zillar Rahman and 76-year-old Shis Mohammad Sheikh. Both are currently receiving treatment at the Trauma Care Centre.
Hospital sources said Rahida had travelled from Nalhati to look after her relative, Aklima Bibi, who is admitted to the Urology department.
Aklima is also from Nalhati. Rahida had reportedly been staying at the hospital to assist with her treatment and care.
The concrete bench outside the department is commonly used by patients’ relatives waiting for updates or attending to those admitted inside the hospital.
The incident comes amid unsettled weather conditions across Kolkata and several districts of south Bengal.
Intermittent rain and gusty winds have been reported since Sunday under the influence of a low-pressure system. The weather conditions intensified on Monday, when the tree fell inside the SSKM Hospital campus.
Hospital authorities said no complaint has been received in connection with the incident so far.
The deceased woman’s body will be sent for post-mortem examination as part of the investigation.
The circumstances surrounding the tree fall and whether the weather alone caused the incident will be examined by the authorities.
This is a developing story. More details are awaited.
