Bengaluru Hotel Horror: Two Foreigners Die in Suspected Pool Electrocution
A German and Slovak citizen died in a suspected electrocution at a Bengaluru hotel pool. An American guest and Indian staffer were injured during rescue.
A relaxing evening at a luxury hotel in Bengaluru turned into a nightmare on Friday when two foreign nationals died in a suspected electrocution incident at a swimming pool. The tragedy occurred on the third floor of a hotel located in the city's Halasuru area, leaving the hospitality community and guests in shock.
The Victims and the Tragedy
The victims have been identified as Alexander Maximilian Theiss, a 57-year-old German national who served as a crew member for Lufthansa, and Juraj Horvat, a 45-year-old citizen of the Slovak Republic who was employed as a project manager at IBM. Both men were reportedly in the pool when the suspected electrical leak occurred, leading to their immediate demise.
Heroic Rescue Attempts Lead to Injuries
The horror didn't end with the initial shock. In a desperate bid to save the drowning and electrocuting men, two other individuals jumped into the fray, only to be struck by the current themselves.
- Mathew DeSantis, a 41-year-old American national and a guest at the hotel, attempted to rescue the victims.
- Rahul Tiwari, a 28-year-old Indian national working as the hotel's pool attendant and lifeguard, also rushed in to help.
Both DeSantis and Tiwari sustained injuries during the rescue attempt. They were rushed to Manipal Hospital for urgent medical care. According to the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), East Bengaluru, both individuals are currently undergoing treatment and are reported to be out of danger.
Investigation Underway
The local authorities have swung into action to determine how electricity entered the swimming pool, a failure that led to a double fatality. The DCP confirmed that a formal case has been registered in connection with the deaths.
Police are currently investigating whether the incident was caused by a technical fault in the pool's lighting, filtration system, or other electrical installations. While further details are awaited, the investigation aims to establish if there was any negligence in the maintenance of the hotel's facilities.