Bengaluru: A five-year-old girl died after a compound wall and iron gate collapsed on her while she was playing outside a residential building in Dwarakanagar near Chikkabanavara on Friday evening.
Another child sustained serious injuries in the incident, while two other children escaped with minor injuries, police said.
The tragic accident took place around 5.30 pm and has left residents of the area shocked.
Children were playing on gate when accident occurred
According to police, the deceased girl has been identified as Ghousia.
Officials said Ghousia and another girl, Sumaiya, were playing on the iron gate, reportedly using it like a swing, when the structure suddenly collapsed on them.
The gate, which was attached to a compound wall and measured around 2.5 feet in height, reportedly gave way unexpectedly.
Ghousia suffered severe injuries and died on the spot.
Sumaiya sustained critical injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she is currently undergoing treatment.
Two other children who were nearby escaped with minor injuries.
Police said two of the children were playing inside the compound while the other two were outside when the accident occurred.
Family had moved to Bengaluru recently
Ghousia’s parents, Imam and Ravija, are footpath vendors who sell fruits near a bus stand in the locality.
The family originally belongs to Hospet in Vijayanagara district and had reportedly shifted to the rented house in Bengaluru around five months ago.
Neighbours said the children were playing in front of the building when the accident took place.
The incident has once again raised concerns over the safety and maintenance of residential structures in the city.
Police register unnatural death case
After the incident, Ghousia’s body was shifted to the mortuary at Victoria Hospital for postmortem examination.
Police have questioned the building owner, identified as Ravishankar, regarding the condition and maintenance of the gate and compound wall.
Chikkabanavara Police have registered a case of unnatural death and initiated further investigation into the incident.
Authorities are expected to examine whether negligence or poor structural maintenance contributed to the collapse.
Residents in the area have urged civic authorities to conduct safety inspections of old residential buildings and gates to prevent similar tragedies in the future.