Two dead, two injured in suspected electrocution at Bengaluru luxury hotel pool

OPA WIRE, Nov 1 (OPA) — The victims were identified as Alexander Maximilian Theiss, 57, a German flight crew member, and Juraj Horvat, 45, a Slovak project manager for IBM. The incident occurred Saturday afternoon in the Halasuru area of Bengaluru. Both men were pronounced dead after being transported to Manipal Hospital, where medical staff were unable to revive them.

Two others, 28-year-old pool attendant Rahul Tiwari and 41-year-old American guest Mathew Desantis, were treated for injuries and remain in stable condition. Theiss’s wife has filed a formal police complaint alleging negligence by hotel management, claiming the victims were electrocuted while attempting to exit the water. Lufthansa confirmed the death of its crew member, stating the airline is cooperating with local authorities.

Investigators are currently examining the pool’s underwater lighting and safety infrastructure, including earth-leakage circuit breakers, to determine how an electric current entered the water. The Conrad Bengaluru, a property managed by the Hilton group, has closed its pool facilities until November 30, citing maintenance requirements. Hotel management stated they are deeply saddened by the event and are assisting police with the ongoing inquiry.

Legal proceedings are expected to follow as forensic teams analyze the site for potential safety violations. The hotel has maintained that the official cause of the incident has not yet been established by investigators. The victims' families have been notified, and diplomatic representatives from Germany and Slovakia are monitoring the situation as the probe continues.