A first-year engineering student died and several others were injured after a large lighting structure collapsed during a Dandiya celebration at MVSR Engineering College in Nadergul, on the outskirts of Hyderabad, on Saturday evening.
The deceased was identified as Sona Narayan Das, a first-year student of Electrical and Electronics Engineering. Reports on the number of injured differed, with initial accounts putting the figure at 12 and subsequent reports stating that 14 students were injured.
The incident occurred during the concluding hours of Sangamam, the college’s two-day technical and cultural festival. Hundreds of students had gathered on the campus for the Dandiya programme when the structure supporting decorative lights reportedly came crashing down amid strong winds, hitting students who were dancing nearby.
The injured students were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. Sona’s sister, Meena Narayan Das, was also injured and was initially reported to be in critical condition. The condition of other injured students was reported to be stable in subsequent updates.
College director Prasanna Kumar said strong winds had caused the lighting stand to collapse shortly before the programme was due to conclude. He said the college used its own vehicles to transport injured students to hospital and that the management was monitoring their treatment.
However, the incident has raised questions about the safety arrangements for the event. A relative of the deceased alleged that adequate precautions had not been taken and demanded accountability. Students also raised concerns about the structure and the arrangements made for the programme.
Police have launched an investigation into the incident, including whether the necessary permissions and safety requirements were met. Reports also raised questions about the arrangements for the event and the installation of the lighting structure.
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy expressed grief over the student’s death, conveyed condolences to her family and directed officials to ensure the injured received the best possible medical care. He also called for those responsible to be identified and action to be taken.