Tragedy at Dandiya Fest: Student Killed, 12 Injured as Lighting Truss Collapses
A tragic accident at MVSR College in Nadargul left one student dead and 12 injured after a lighting truss collapsed during a Dandiya celebration.
A vibrant celebration of dance and culture turned into a scene of chaos and grief at an engineering college in Nadargul, Telangana. During a high-energy Dandiya event, a massive metal lighting truss suddenly collapsed, claiming the life of a female student and leaving at least 12 others injured.
Panic at 'Sangamam' Festival
The incident took place at MVSR College during the concluding hours of 'Sangamam,' the institution's annual two-day technical-cum-cultural festival. Hundreds of students had gathered on the college grounds to participate in the Dandiya program, which had been organized between 5:30 PM and 6:00 PM following requests from the student body.
Eyewitnesses describe a terrifying moment when a heavy metal truss, used to support decorative stage lights, gave way and crashed directly onto a group of female students who were dancing. The collapse happened just ten minutes before the event was scheduled to end.
The Human Cost
The victim has been identified as Sony Narayana Das, a student from the Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE) branch. The tragedy was recounted by her uncle, Suresh, who revealed the harrowing sequence of events.
"I received a call between 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM. A friend, Ashok, told me a decoration pole had fallen on his daughter's head. He initially thought the injury was minor, but when I reached the hospital, the staff informed me that she had been brought dead," Suresh told reporters. He further alleged that the accident was a result of clear negligence and a failure to implement basic safety precautions.
In addition to the fatality, twelve students were injured. While some were treated for minor wounds, others were rushed to Pratyusha Hospital for CT scans and emergency care. College officials later stated that those admitted to the hospital are now out of danger.
Management vs. Allegations of Negligence
The college administration has defended its position, attributing the disaster to an "unforeseen natural mishap." Prasanna Kumar, the Director of the College, explained that sudden and severe gales struck the area, causing the lighting stand to buckle under the force of the wind.
The Director emphasized that the management acted swiftly, using college vehicles to transport the injured to the hospital because the 108 ambulance service was taking too long to arrive. He expressed deep regret over the loss of Sony Narayana Das and promised full support to the bereaved family.
Political Outrage and Police Intervention
The incident has sparked intense anger among students and parents, prompting a large police deployment from the Adibatla police station to maintain law and order on campus.
Political leaders have also stepped in to demand accountability. BJP leader Andela Sriramulu Yadav, who visited the site, slammed the college management for what he termed "criminal negligence."
"Small, unstable poles, around 80 feet high, were erected without adequate support," Yadav claimed, asserting that the management risked the lives of students by ignoring safety standards. He has called for strict police action against the authorities responsible for the setup.