Student dies after being pushed off roof during safety drill
Video footage shows girl being pushed off the second floor ledge after she hesitated to jump
A 19 year-old woman has died during a mock disaster drill at an Indian college in which students were made to jump from a building.
A video of the incident shows the girl, identified as N. Logeshwari, appearing to hesitate on the ledge of the second floor building at Coimbatore college in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu on Thursday. Eyewitnesses allege the girl was not willing to jump off the ledge into a net held below, according to India Today. The drill instructor trainer pushed her and she fell, hitting her head on the floor below. She was pronounced dead on arrival at a nearby hospital.
Initial reports of the tragedy said that the mock exercise was organised by India’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). “As part of the drill, the NDMA personnel had asked the boys and girls to jump from the second floor,” police said.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
However, in a bizarre twist, the NDMA distanced itself from the incident, saying that it had not authorised any drill at the college, The Hindu reports.
Coimbatore superintendant of police Pa Moorthy said that he had been the video which appears to show the trainer pushing the girl, according to New Indian Express.“After inquiring with the students, the trainer will be booked under appropriate sections of the Indian Penal Code,” he said.
The Hindu reports that two special police teams have been formed to investigate the incident.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Long summer days in Iceland's highlands
The Week Recommends While many parts of this volcanic island are barren, there is a 'desolate beauty' to be found in every corner
By The Week UK Published
-
The Democrats: time for wholesale reform?
Talking Point In the 'wreckage' of the election, the party must decide how to rebuild
By The Week UK Published
-
5 deliciously funny cartoons about turkeys
Cartoons Artists take on pardons, executions, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published