Bengaluru: At least seven people, including a six-year-old girl, lost their lives and seven others sustained injuries after a compound wall of the historic Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital collapsed during heavy rainfall and strong winds in Bengaluru on Wednesday evening, police officials said.

The tragic incident occurred amid intense showers, gusty winds and hailstorms that lashed several parts of the city, leading to widespread waterlogging and disruption of normal life. According to authorities, a group of people had gathered near the hospital wall to take shelter from the sudden downpour when the structure gave way without warning, trapping several beneath the debris.

Police, fire personnel and emergency response teams rushed to the scene immediately after the collapse. Rescue operations continued for several hours as officials used an earthmover and other heavy equipment to clear the rubble. Local residents also joined rescue efforts to pull out victims trapped under the debris.

Officials confirmed that seven people died at the spot, while the injured were shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment. The deceased reportedly included visitors from Kerala who had arrived in Bengaluru as part of a study tour.

Initial reports had incorrectly stated that three children were among the dead. However, the Chief Minister’s Office later clarified that only one child — a six-year-old girl — was among the victims.

Senior police officers and civic authorities inspected the site soon after the incident. Preliminary investigations suggest that continuous rainfall may have weakened the old compound wall, causing it to collapse under pressure from the severe weather conditions.

Karnataka Chief Minister expressed grief over the tragedy and directed officials to provide immediate assistance to the affected families. Authorities have also ordered an inquiry into the incident to determine whether negligence or poor maintenance contributed to the collapse.

The incident has once again raised serious concerns about the structural safety of aging public infrastructure in Bengaluru, especially during the monsoon season when heavy rainfall frequently exposes weak and damaged structures across the city.

Residents in several areas of Bengaluru reported flooded roads, uprooted trees and traffic chaos as the storm continued late into the evening.