Structural failure at Gujarat dandiya event kills student, injures 22

A student was killed and 22 others sustained injuries when a temporary stage structure collapsed during a dandiya night event at a college in Gujarat. Preliminary investigations have revealed that the truss was erected using only two pillars instead of the required four, constituting a major structural safety lapse.

Police have taken three individuals into custody in connection with the incident as part of their ongoing investigation into the collapse. However, two event organisers and two college department heads remain absconding, and authorities have intensified efforts to locate and apprehend them.

The incident has triggered a broader examination of safety protocols governing temporary structures at public events and college functions. Initial findings suggest negligence in the stage construction may have contributed to the structural failure, raising questions about oversight mechanisms and adherence to safety standards.

Investigators are working to establish the full chain of responsibility among the organisers, college administration, and event coordinators. The case underscores persistent concerns about infrastructure safety at large gathering events across educational institutions in the region.