Pramesh S Jain
At least seven people,including two children,were killed and seven others injured after a portion of the compound wall of Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital collapsed during heavy rain in the city’s Shivajinagar area on Wednesday.
The deceased have been identified as:Mohammed Abdul Haq (52),a cloth businessman from JC Nagar,Bengaluru, Karnataka.
Fayaz Ahmed (39),a footwear businessman from DJ Halli, Bengaluru, Karnataka.
Musaveer Begum (6),a student from KG Halli, Bengaluru, Karnataka.
Latha K K (57),a visitor from Ernakulam,Kerala.
Smitha (47), a visitor from Ernakulam, Kerala.
MD Salauddin Ansari (36),a vendor from Uttar Pradesh.
Nasimulla (19),engaged in car stickering work,
from Assam.
According to police,most of the victims were roadside vendors and passersby who had taken shelter near the wall when it gave way following intense rainfall. Several others sustained injuries and were shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment.
The victims were reportedly roadside vendors and customers who were near the wall when the incident occurred. Authorities said nearly 30 people were present at the spot at the time of the collapse.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah visited the site,took stock of the situation,and later met the injured at the hospital, assuring them of proper medical treatment.
Addressing the media,he said a preliminary inquiry indicated that ongoing construction activity at the hospital premises may have contributed to the collapse.
“Mud was being dumped adjacent to the compound wall, which appears to have weakened the structure.It is also being examined whether the wall was dilapidated,” he said.
The Chief Minister expressed strong displeasure over the apparent negligence and pulled up officials on the spot.
Questioning the lack of coordination and inspection,he asked,“Were you not aware that the wall was old? Could this not have been prevented with proper vigilance?”.
He ordered an immediate probe to ascertain the exact cause of the mishap and announced a compensation of Rs.5 lakh each to the families of the deceased.He also directed officials to ensure free treatment for the injured.
Eyewitnesses recounted the horror of the incident. Suhail,a roadside vendor,said his brother Fayaz was among those killed.We have been selling purses and chappals here for the past 20 years.
This is the first time such a tragedy has occurred.I was standing a little away when the wall suddenly collapsed,” he said,adding that Fayaz was the sole breadwinner of his family, survived by his wife and two children.
Another victim,52-year-old Mohammed Abdul Haq,who sold clothes,had recently shifted to the spot due to poor business elsewhere.He is survived by four children.
City Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh and other senior officials visited the site and supervised rescue operations.
Sources said authorities had attempted to evict roadside vendors from the area a few days ago as part of an anti-encroachment drive, but the move was resisted.Further investigation is underway.
Meanwhile Over 50 trees have fallen in Bengaluru,water logging reported in multiple areas.
Big mishap averted by alert cops :
Timely intervention prevented a big mishap by Magadi road traffic inspector Manjegowda and his staff who immediately stopped the traffic coming from basava Mantapa and Magadi road as the huge 100 feet cut out of veteran actor late vishnuvardhan was put up on his birthday but was not removed as sudden heavy downpour with gusty winds the cut out fallen due to heavy gusty winds as it got tilted and the timely action has averted big mishap said senior officer.
A case will be registered against all those organisers and others who has put up a huge 100 feet cut out endangering public safety and probe will be initiated who gave them permission to put 100 feet high cut out a senior officer told reporters.
