Bengaluru, October 31, 2026: A police investigation has been launched into possible safety lapses at a luxury hotel in Bengaluru after two international guests lost their lives in a suspected electrocution incident at its swimming pool on Friday evening. Two others were injured while attempting to rescue the victims.
The incident occurred at Conrad Bengaluru, a five-star hotel in the Halasuru area, where the victims were reportedly swimming in the pool situated on the third floor of the property.
Police identified the deceased as Alexander Maximilian Theiss, 57, a German national associated with Lufthansa Airlines, and Juraj Horvat, 45, a Slovakian citizen employed as a project manager with IBM.
Initial reports suggest that the two men may have suffered electric shocks while attempting to leave the swimming pool. However, authorities are still examining the circumstances that led to their deaths.
American Guest, Hotel Employee Injured During Rescue
The incident also left an American guest, Mathew Desantis, 41, and hotel swimming pool attendant Rahul Tiwari, 28, injured after they attempted to help the two men.
All four were transported to Manipal Hospitals for emergency medical attention.
Hospital authorities confirmed that the German national was brought dead, while doctors attempted to revive the Slovakian national through cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Despite medical intervention, Horvat could not be saved.
The two rescuers received treatment and were reported to be in stable condition.
Police Examine Allegations of Hotel Negligence
The tragedy has prompted allegations concerning the maintenance and safety arrangements of the hotel’s swimming pool.
According to reports, Silvia Ottawa, wife of the deceased German national, approached the police alleging negligence by the hotel authorities. Her complaint reportedly stated that the victims received electric shocks near the pool’s exit before drowning.
Following the complaint, police initiated proceedings to establish whether faulty electrical installations or lapses in safety measures contributed to the deaths.
Conrad Bengaluru’s management expressed condolences to the bereaved families and stated that it was extending cooperation to the investigating authorities. The hotel maintained that the exact cause of the incident had not been determined.
Meanwhile, the hotel’s website displayed a notice indicating that its swimming pool would remain closed for maintenance between October 31 and November 30.
The incident has raised concerns about guest safety at high-end hospitality establishments. Investigators are working to determine the source of the suspected electrical hazard and whether negligence played any role in the fatalities.
Police have registered a case, and further investigation is underway.
