By Fatma Younis
Two foreigners died and two other people were injured after a suspected electrocution in the swimming pool of the five-star Conrad hotel in Bengaluru, southern India, on Friday evening, police said.
Victims Identified
The deceased are Alexander Maximilian Theiss, 57, a German national and Lufthansa crew member, and Juraj Horvat, 45, a Slovak national working as a project manager for IBM. Both were staying at the hotel and had gone for a swim in the pool, which is located on the third floor of the property in the Halasuru area, also known as Ulsoor.
Rescuers Injured
Two people were hurt while trying to rescue the men: Mathew Desantis, 41, a U.S. national staying at the hotel, and Rahul Tiwari, 28, an Indian pool attendant employed by the hotel. Both were taken to Manipal Hospital, where they are being treated and are reported to be out of danger.
Investigation Underway
Police have registered a case and are investigating the exact circumstances that led to the suspected electrocution. Four people were brought to the hospital at about 5:10 p.m. local time on Friday. Theiss was already dead on arrival, and Horvat died while doctors attempted to revive him.
Hotel Responds
Theiss's wife has filed a police complaint alleging that the deaths were caused by negligence in maintaining the pool. The hotel, part of the Hilton group, has announced on its website that the pool will be closed for maintenance from 31 October to 30 November.
