Mangaluru: Five students were injured after a balcony at the Rama Lakshminarayana Convention Hall in Emmekere, Mangaluru, collapsed during a students’ association event on Friday, with one of the injured students reportedly declared brain-dead.
A large number of students had gathered at the convention hall for the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected office-bearers of the Dakshina Kannada District All College Students’ Association.
The incident occurred amid heavy crowding in the corridor of the hall. Students standing on the upper level reportedly leaned against a supporting wall that was in a weakened condition. The wall suddenly collapsed, causing the students to fall to the ground and sustain serious injuries.
Five students hospitalised
Following the incident, the injured students were immediately shifted to a private hospital in Mangaluru for treatment.
Those admitted to the hospital include 16-year-old Mohammed Shamaz, son of Mohammed Iliyas Moidinabba of Haleyangadi. He was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for further treatment.
The other injured students were identified as Mohammed Shanan Ahmed, 18, son of Habeeb Ahmed of Surinje; Haneef, 23, son of Sulaiman of Adyar; Dawood Farsin Ahmed, 18, c/o Fathima of Gandhinagar, Kavoor; and Mohammed Shakeel Hussain, 18, son of Mohammed Shali of Kasba Bengre.
The students reportedly sustained injuries after falling from the upper level when the wall gave way.
One student declared brain-dead
Mangaluru City Police Commissioner said that one of the students injured in the incident had been declared brain-dead.
The condition of the remaining injured students is being monitored at the hospital. Further medical updates are expected from the treating doctors.
The incident has caused concern as the students had gathered at the convention hall for an official function when the structure reportedly collapsed.
Incident occurs amid heavy crowding
According to preliminary information, a large number of students were present at the venue for the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected office-bearers of the Dakshina Kannada District All College Students’ Association.
Heavy crowding was reported in the corridor of the convention hall. Students who were standing on the upper level reportedly leaned against a supporting wall. The wall, which was allegedly in a weakened condition, suddenly collapsed.
The collapse caused the students near the structure to fall from the upper level to the ground. Those injured were rushed to the hospital for emergency medical treatment.
The circumstances surrounding the condition of the structure and the reason for the collapse are expected to be examined by the authorities.
Police and authorities assess incident
The incident has raised questions regarding the safety arrangements and structural condition of the venue, particularly in view of the large gathering of students.
Authorities are expected to examine the circumstances leading to the collapse and determine whether any safety or structural issues contributed to the incident.
The police are also likely to gather details regarding the event, the number of people present at the venue and the condition of the structure at the time of the incident.
The incident occurred during a public gathering, making the assessment of structural safety and crowd management particularly significant.
As the injured students continue to receive treatment, further details regarding their condition and the circumstances of the collapse are awaited.