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Two students were reportedly killed after lighting poles collapsed during a Dandiya programme at MVSR Engineering College in Nadergul, Telangana. (Img: x)
Hyderabad: An 18-year-old engineering student was among two people who lost their lives after a temporary lighting structure collapsed during a Dandiya event at MVSR Engineering College in Nadergul, on the outskirts of Hyderabad, on Saturday evening. The incident occurred while students were participating in the Navaratri celebrations.
One of the deceased was identified as Sona Narayan Das, a first-year Electrical and Electronics Engineering student. According to reports, the metal framework erected to support the event's lighting arrangements collapsed amid strong winds, falling on students gathered at the venue.
Sona sustained critical head injuries and was rushed to a nearby private hospital. However, she died while undergoing treatment. Her sister, Meena Narayan Das, was also among those injured in the incident.
More than 25 people sustained injuries in the collapse. The injured were taken for medical treatment, with subsequent reports indicating that their condition was stable.
The incident reportedly took place at around 7.30 pm, when a large number of students had assembled for the Dandiya programme during the college’s Sangamam-2026 technical and cultural fest, a two-day national-level technical and cultural festival, held on October 16 and 17.
Students from different colleges participated in technical activities, cultural performances and other events organised as part of the fest. The Dandiya programme was among the cultural attractions of the celebrations. More than 600 students were said to be present at the venue.
Police officials are examining the circumstances that led to the collapse, including the stability of the temporary structure and the safety arrangements made for the event. Shamshabad Deputy Commissioner of Police B Rajesh reportedly questioned whether the organisers had informed the police about the programme, considering the large gathering expected. The authorities are looking into the arrangements made for conducting the event and whether any lapses contributed to the accident.
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy expressed grief over the student's death and conveyed his condolences to her family. He directed officials to ensure that those injured received proper medical care and called for stringent action against those found responsible for the incident.
The tragedy has brought renewed attention to safety measures at large college events, particularly those involving temporary stages, lighting equipment and metal structures. The police investigation is expected to establish the precise cause of the collapse and determine whether negligence or inadequate safety precautions played a role.
