Tragedy Strikes Bengaluru Family
A devastating accident in Bengaluru's Chinnappanahalli area near Marathahalli claimed the life of a four-year-old girl and left three others seriously injured on Thursday afternoon. The incident occurred when hollow bricks from an under-construction building came crashing down on a nearby house.
Victims and Immediate Aftermath
The deceased child has been identified as Manushree. The injured include her six-year-old brother Shriyan, five-year-old cousin Shekhar, and their 30-year-old mother Mamatha. All three survivors are currently receiving treatment at a private hospital. According to medical professionals, one of the boys sustained a rib fracture and might need surgical intervention.
The family, originally from Bhoragi village in Sindagi taluk of Vijayapura district, had been staying at a rented house belonging to Mamatha's elder sister, Roopa. The house featured an asbestos-sheet roof, which offered little protection against the falling debris. Around 3 pm, approximately 10 to 12 hollow blocks fell from the fourth floor of the adjacent five-storey building under construction. The bricks smashed through the roof, directly hitting the victims inside.
Safety Lapses and Police Investigation
Preliminary investigations by the Whitefield police have revealed glaring safety omissions at the construction site. Deputy Commissioner of Police K Parashurama stated that the building, owned by Srinivasulu, lacked adequate safeguards to prevent such accidents. Some of the falling bricks also landed on the road nearby; fortunately, no pedestrians were harmed at that moment.
Local residents acted swiftly, rushing the injured to a nearby hospital. Tragically, Manushree was declared dead upon arrival. The police have indicated that they are awaiting a formal complaint from the family before proceeding with the registration of a case. Roopa, a domestic worker, was away at her job when the tragedy unfolded.
Official Response and Accountability
Authorities have promised action following the incident. Maheshwar Rao, the chief commissioner of the Greater Bengaluru Authority, addressed the issue, stating, "We are looking into the matter. If any negligence on the part of the builder is established, strict action will be initiated against those responsible for this tragedy." This statement underscores the growing concern over construction safety norms in rapidly developing areas of the city.
The accident in Chinnappanahalli has once again highlighted the critical need for enforcing stringent safety protocols at construction sites, especially in densely populated residential neighborhoods. It serves as a grim reminder of the consequences of negligence in urban development projects.
