Auto Driver Killed After Vijayanagar Club Compound Wall Collapses During Heavy Rain in Bengaluru
Bengaluru, May 29: Days after seven people lost their lives in the tragic compound wall collapse near Bowring Hospital, another rain-related accident in Bengaluru has claimed a life, raising fresh concerns over the safety of ageing structures across the city.
A 56-year-old auto-rickshaw driver was killed after a portion of the compound wall of the historic Vijayanagar Club collapsed during heavy rain and strong winds on Thursday evening.
The deceased has been identified as Shivaborayya, a resident of Gangondanahalli. According to preliminary information, the incident occurred at around 6.45 pm when the victim had parked his auto-rickshaw along the road adjacent to the club premises.
Officials said a section of the club’s ageing compound wall, estimated to be around 10 to 12 feet high and extending nearly 25 to 30 feet in length, suddenly gave way following heavy rainfall and gusty winds. The wall collapsed directly onto the parked auto-rickshaw, trapping the driver underneath.
The impact was so severe that the auto-rickshaw was completely crushed. Local residents, police personnel and emergency responders rushed to the spot and launched rescue operations. However, Shivaborayya had sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene.
The compound wall is located adjacent to the club’s swimming pool area. Residents in the locality said the structure was several decades old, though no major incidents had previously been reported at the site.
The collapse also brought down multiple electricity poles located along the stretch, causing disruption in the area and raising concerns about public safety during adverse weather conditions.
Vijayanagar Police reached the scene shortly after the incident and secured the area. Officials from the Greater Bengaluru Authority and other civic agencies also conducted an inspection.
The victim’s body was shifted to Victoria Hospital for post-mortem examination. Civic authorities later deployed heavy machinery, including excavators, to clear the debris and assess the structural damage.
The incident has once again highlighted the vulnerability of old compound walls and buildings during the monsoon season. With Bengaluru witnessing repeated incidents involving collapsing structures, citizens have been urged to exercise caution and avoid parking vehicles or taking shelter near ageing walls, trees and unstable structures during heavy rain and strong winds.
Police have registered a case and further investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the collapse and whether negligence contributed to the tragedy.
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