MANGALURU: A section of a supporting wall collapsed at a student gathering in Mangaluru on Saturday, leaving five young men injured. A 16-year-old among them is undergoing intensive treatment and is reported to be in critical condition.
The incident took place at Ram Lakshmi Sabha Bhavan near Yemmekere Cross during a programme organised for the oath-taking of newly appointed student office-bearers.
The venue reportedly became crowded as students gathered for the event. With limited space inside the hall, some participants were standing in the corridor outside. The wall alongside the corridor suddenly collapsed, sending several students to the ground.
The injured were identified as Mohammed Shamaz (16), Mohammed Shanan (18), Haneef (23), Dawood Farsin Ahmed (18), and Mohammed Shakeel Hussain (18). They were taken to private hospital in Mangaluru for medical treatment.
Hospital authorities said Shamaz suffered serious injuries and was shifted to the intensive care unit. His condition was described as critical.
Preliminary information suggests that some of the students had been standing against or leaning on the wall shortly before it gave way. Police are examining whether the structure had already weakened and whether the additional pressure from the gathering contributed to its collapse.
Mangaluru Police Commissioner Anupam Agarwal confirmed that the injured students had been taken to hospital. Police have initiated an investigation into the incident and are examining possible safety lapses at the venue.
The investigation will also look into the structural condition of the wall, the number of people present at the programme and whether adequate safety arrangements were in place for the gathering.