Student Killed, 14 Hurt as Arch Collapses at Hyderabad Dandiya Event
Image: Wikimedia Commons (file photo)
A woman engineering student was killed and 14 others were injured when a lighting arch collapsed during a dandiya event at MVSR Engineering College in Nadergul, on the outskirts of Hyderabad, on Saturday evening. The arch fell because of strong wind, PTI reported, quoting police. Siasat reported that the incident took place at around 7.30 pm under the Adibatla police station limits.
What Police Said
The student who died was in her first year, police said. Siasat, quoting police, said the injured were out of danger; it put the number of injured at 15, while PTI reported 14. The injured were taken to hospital for treatment.
A student alleged that police who reached the spot found that no permission had been obtained for the event, Siasat reported, citing Deccan Chronicle. Police have not officially confirmed this, and there was no report of a case being registered at the time of writing.
Chief Minister Orders Action
Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy instructed officials to identify those responsible for the accident and take strict action against them, reports said.
The incident happened on the same evening as a crowd crush at a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata, where 19 people have died, the West Bengal Chief Minister has said. Read IPB’s live coverage of the Chorbagan stampede.
Temporary Structures in Festival Weather
Navratri and Durga Puja events draw large crowds to colleges, housing societies and public grounds across India, often under temporary lighting, arches and stages put up in a few days. Wind and rain at this time of year can bring such structures down without warning.
Students and parents may want to check that campus events have police and fire permissions, that heavy fixtures are firmly anchored, and that crowds are kept clear of them in bad weather. More from IPB’s Unforeseen Events coverage.
Based on reporting by PTI via ThePrint, Deccan Herald, Business Standard and Siasat.
Image: Wikimedia Commons (file photo of a dandiya event, not the incident).
