One student was killed and at least 12 others were injured after a lighting structure collapsed during a Dandiya celebration at MVSR College in Nadergul, Rangareddy district, on Saturday, prompting Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy to order action against those responsible.
The Chief Minister expressed shock over the death, conveyed his condolences to the student’s family and directed officials to ensure the best possible medical treatment for the injured, according to the Telangana Chief Minister’s Office. He also instructed officials to identify those responsible for the accident and take strict action against them.
The incident occurred during the concluding hours of Sangamam, the engineering college’s two-day annual technical-cum-cultural festival. Hundreds of students had gathered on the campus ground for the Dandiya programme when strong winds were reportedly blowing. A large metal truss or lighting stand supporting decorative stage lights collapsed onto a group of female students.
The deceased student was from the Electrical and Electronics Engineering branch. A senior police official confirmed that one girl had died and 12 people were injured after the structure fell during the event. The injured students were shifted to hospital for treatment, the official said. The incident falls under the jurisdiction of Adibatla police station.
A large police deployment was sent to the campus after the collapse as tensions rose among students and parents. The deployment was intended to bring the situation under control and maintain law and order while the injured were taken for medical care and the circumstances of the accident were examined.
Suresh, an uncle of the deceased student, alleged that safety lapses contributed to the incident. He told reporters that he received a call between 7 pm and 8 pm while the Dandiya programme was under way and was informed that a lighting and decoration pole had fallen on the student’s head. He also said strong winds were present when the structure came down.
The Chief Minister’s direction places responsibility for identifying the causes and those accountable with the concerned officials. Further action is expected after the authorities examine the event arrangements, the collapsed structure and the circumstances in which the accident occurred.
