Student killed, at least 12 hurt as lighting truss collapses at dandiya event in Hyderabad college

An 18-year-old engineering student was killed and at least 12 others injured when a metal lighting truss collapsed during a dandiya celebration at MVSR Engineering College in Nadargul, Hyderabad, on Saturday evening amid strong winds.

The deceased, identified as Sona Narayana Das, was a first-year Electrical and Electronics Engineering student (spelt “Sony” by some outlets). She suffered fatal head injuries when the steel frame fitted with decorative lights came crashing down at around 7.30pm, during the college’s two-day annual technical and cultural festival, Sangamam. Police told The Indian Express more than 600 students were at the venue. “The lights were erected on a rectangular frame. There was wind, and it didn’t survive the impact. The frame fell immediately,” Adibatla inspector S. Ramesh said.

Injured counts vary by outlet: police confirmed at least 12 injured, ANI reported 12, while Mathrubhumi reported 14 students hurt, later said to be out of danger. Sona’s sister, Meena Narayan Das, was among the injured at Pratyusha Hospital.

College director Prasanna Kumar told Times Now the event was organised at students’ request and that a gust struck about ten minutes before it was due to end. DCP Shamshabad B. Rajesh said the college should have “at least intimated the police about this massive crowd”.

Telangana chief minister A. Revanth Reddy expressed condolences and ordered stringent action against those responsible, the Express reported.