Following the collapse of the Bowring Hospital compound wall in Bengaluru that resulted in seven fatalities due to heavy rain, hail, and a thunderstorm, the Karnataka government has directed a comprehensive audit of hospital premises across the state. Minister Sharan Prakash Patil announced this decision after inspecting the site of the incident at Bowring Hospital and meeting with the injured individuals. Inspections will particularly focus on hospitals in Bengaluru, including Bowring Hospital, Victoria Hospital, KC General Hospital, and others, to ensure the safety of compound walls and buildings.
Authorities have been tasked with conducting thorough inspections at all hospitals in Karnataka, with a specific emphasis on Bengaluru, and submitting a detailed report within a week. Minister Patil emphasized the importance of this quality check during his meeting with senior officials from relevant departments. Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for various districts in Karnataka, forecasting heavy rainfall over the next three days.
Several districts, including Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru Rural, Chikkaballapur, Ramanagara, and others, have been placed under a yellow alert due to the predicted heavy rainfall. The tragic incident at Bowring Hospital claimed the lives of seven individuals, including a young girl and two tourists from Kerala, while also injuring seven others. In response, the Chief Minister announced compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the families of the deceased and instructed officials to ensure free medical treatment for the injured.
Expressing deep sorrow over the tragedy, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah questioned officials about preventive measures and stressed the need for accountability to avoid such incidents in the future. The collapse of the compound wall near Bowring Hospital, which occurred during the severe weather conditions, led to the unfortunate loss of lives. Additionally, both the Karnataka BJP and Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy expressed profound grief over the tragic event.
