Karnataka Swimming Association plans pool safety advisory after hotel tragedy

The Karnataka Swimming Association announced plans on Sunday to release a comprehensive safety advisory for aquatic facilities across the state following a fatal incident at a luxury hotel in Bengaluru. The proposed guidelines are designed to address critical gaps in maintenance and oversight across commercial swimming pools.

Two foreign nationals died on Friday evening at the third-floor swimming pool of the Conrad Bengaluru hotel in Halasuru after suffering suspected electric shocks while attempting to exit the water. The victims were identified as Alexander Maximilian Theiss, 57, a German national and airline crew member, and Juraj Horvat, 45, a Slovakian national employed in the city. Two others, including an American tourist and a pool attendant, sustained injuries during rescue attempts and were later reported to be in stable condition at a hospital.

Police registered a case of negligence against the hotel management following a complaint lodged by the family of one of the deceased. Preliminary technical inspections conducted by engineers from the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company and the electrical inspectorate indicated that faulty earthing or a malfunction in the underwater lighting system may have caused current to leak into the pool. Investigators noted that the electrical current appeared to be confined to a radius of four to five metres near the pool ladder.

Karnataka Swimming Association president Gopal Hosur stated that the upcoming advisory will cover mandatory electrical safety checks, proper earthing, periodic inspections of underwater lighting, filtration and pumping systems, and the deployment of certified lifeguards. The framework will also outline emergency response protocols, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation training and first-aid provisions.

Association representatives emphasized that maintaining pool safety cannot remain a one-time formality and must involve continuous monitoring. Officials have proposed a collaborative approach involving municipal authorities, the state sports department, the electrical inspectorate, and fire services to establish uniform safety checklists and registration protocols for all commercial and public pools in Karnataka.

Statutory enforcement of safety rules remains under the purview of government departments, while the swimming association intends to extend technical expertise and training support. Authorities continue to examine maintenance records and electrical installations at the hotel as the formal investigation proceeds.