Two foreign nationals die in suspected electrocution at Bengaluru star hotel pool

Two foreign nationals staying at a five-star hotel in Bengaluru have died allegedly due to suspected electrocution while swimming in the hotel's pool, police said on Saturday (October 31).

According to police, the incident occurred on Friday evening (October 30) at the swimming pool located on the third floor of Conrad hotel in Halasuru.

Also Read: Five school students electrocuted in hostel in Karnataka's Koppal

The deceased have been identified as Alexander Maximilian Theis (57) from Germany, and Juraj Horvath (45) from Slovakia. Theis was an employee of German airline Lufthansa and was staying at the hotel during a layover in Bengaluru. Horvath worked as a project manager at IBM.

Two others injured

Matthew DeSantis, a 41-year-old American national, and Rahul Tiwari, a 28-year-old hotel employee, were injured while trying to rescue the victims. DeSantis was a guest at the hotel, while Tiwari worked in pool maintenance and as a lifeguard.

Also read: West Bengal hotel fire: 8 dead, several injured in Birbhum

Both injured persons were shifted to Manipal Hospital, where they are undergoing treatment. They are out of danger, he said.

A case has been registered, and further investigation is underway, he added.

Underwater electric current?

While the exact cause of the tragedy has not yet been established, police suspect that an electric current may have leaked into the pool water when the underwater lights were switched on.

Several Lufthansa employees were reportedly at the pool when the incident occurred. Police are investigating whether a technical fault or a lapse in maintenance led to the electrocution.

Lufthansa confirms employee’s death

Lufthansa has confirmed the death of one of its employees and expressed condolences to the bereaved family. The airline has also arranged psychological support for other employees affected by the incident.

This article was originally published in The Federal Karnataka