Bengaluru: Five-Year-Old Boy Dies After Falling into Elevator Pit at Construction Site

A tragic accident in Bengaluru claimed the life of a five-year-old boy, Suhas Gowda, who drowned after falling into a water-filled elevator pit at a construction site in Kannamangala, Mahadevapura, on October 23. The pit, about five feet deep, was meant for the installation of an elevator in a new milk dairy building but had filled with rainwater, creating a deadly hazard.

Incident Details

Suhas was playing outside his house around 9 am when he accidentally lost his balance and fell into the uncovered pit. Due to heavy rains in the area, the pit had filled with water, turning into a dangerous trap for anyone nearby. There were no safety measures in place, such as barriers or covers, to prevent access to the pit.

Eyewitnesses reported that the pit had been left exposed, without any precautions to protect children or others from falling into it, which contributed to the devastating accident.

Community Protests and Action

Following Suhas’s death, local residents protested against the negligence, demanding immediate action to prevent such accidents in the future. In response, the police quickly put up sheets around the construction pit to enhance safety. The Kadugodi police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against the milk dairy’s president for negligence, launching an investigation into the lack of safety measures at the site.

Recent Rain-Related Accidents in Bengaluru

Suhas’s death is not the first accident linked to heavy rains in Bengaluru. The city has been battered by incessant rain over the past weeks, leading to multiple rain-related fatalities. Just two days prior to this incident, a 56-year-old woman named Mallika lost her life in Sarjapur when she and her husband, while trying to navigate pothole-ridden roads, were hit by a mini-truck. The condition of the roads, worsened by the rain, has been a major cause of concern for residents.

Safety Concerns and Investigations

The incident raises serious questions about safety at construction sites in Bengaluru, especially with regards to how they are maintained during heavy rainfall. Authorities are under pressure to enforce stricter regulations and ensure safety measures are adhered to, particularly in areas where children are present.

Suhas’s tragic death is a painful reminder of the dangers posed by inadequate safety precautions at construction sites, particularly during the monsoon season.