Bengaluru, October 31, 2026: Serious questions over swimming pool safety have emerged following the deaths of two foreign nationals at a luxury hotel in Bengaluru, where a suspected electrical incident also left two people injured during a rescue attempt on Friday evening.
The tragedy occurred at the third-floor swimming pool of Conrad Bengaluru, a five-star property belonging to the Hilton group, in the city’s Halasuru area on October 30.
The deceased have been identified as Alexander Maximilian Theiss, 57, a German national employed as a crew member with Lufthansa Airlines, and Juraj Horvat, 45, a Slovakian national working as a project manager with IBM.
According to preliminary information, both men were using the hotel’s swimming pool when they allegedly came into contact with an electric current. The precise circumstances surrounding their deaths remain under investigation.
Two Injured While Attempting Rescue
An American hotel guest, identified as 41-year-old Mathew Desantis, and a pool attendant, Rahul Tiwari, sustained injuries while attempting to save the two men.
All four individuals were taken to Manipal Hospitals following the incident.
According to the hospital’s statement, Theiss was declared brought dead, while medical personnel attempted to resuscitate Horvat through cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Despite their efforts, he could not be revived.
The American guest and the hotel employee were admitted for medical observation after the rescue attempt. Hospital authorities reported that both were stable and out of danger.
Victim’s Family Alleges Negligence
The incident has led to a police complaint alleging inadequate maintenance and safety precautions at the hotel’s swimming pool.
According to reports, Silvia Ottawa, the wife of the deceased German national, lodged a complaint alleging that the two victims suffered electric shocks while attempting to exit the pool and subsequently drowned.
The complaint has raised concerns about possible negligence by the hotel management. However, investigators have yet to establish the exact cause of the incident or determine whether any safety violations occurred.
Police have registered a case and initiated an investigation into the deaths.
Conrad Bengaluru Responds to Incident
In a statement expressing grief over the deaths, Conrad Bengaluru’s management offered condolences to the affected families and assured authorities of its cooperation.
The hotel maintained that the cause of the tragedy had not been conclusively established and would be determined through an investigation by the relevant authorities.
Meanwhile, a notice displayed on the hotel’s website indicated that its swimming pool would remain closed for maintenance from October 31 to November 30, 2026.
Investigation Continues
The deaths have brought attention to the importance of electrical safety and regular maintenance of swimming pools at hospitality establishments.
Police are investigating the sequence of events and the suspected electrical hazard, along with the allegations of negligence raised by the victim’s family.
Further findings from the investigation are awaited.
