Four students have died and over 60 injured in a stampede-like situation during the function at a University in Kerala.
The incident occurred during the annual festival at Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) in the state.
The mishap happened during a concert by singer Nikita Gandhi.
The reports said all the injured students were rushed to the nearest hospital—Kalamassery Medical College for treatment, however four students - two girls and two boys - were declared dead on arrival.
“The incident took place due to the same exit and the entrance to the auditorium where the concert was held,” HT reported.
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“Students who were entering the auditorium fell down the stairs and the crowd trampled them,” the official told news agency ANI.
The vice chancellor of the university said the stampede took place when it started raining, as per HT report.
“The fest started yesterday. Various programmes have been arranged as part of the fest. Today, there was a musical programme. Students from neighbouring colleges also attended the programme. Unfortunately, the crowd was huge. More than 2,000 people came inside and there was a rush at the stairs,” he said, as per the above report.
Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday night expressed shock over the incident and ordered a probe.
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“Heartfelt condolences go out to the family members of the four students who lost their lives. Immediate and enhanced treatment facilities have been arranged for the injured. P. Rajeev, the Minister for Industries, and R. Bindu, the Minister of Higher Education, have departed for Ernakulam to assess the situation directly. A thorough investigation into the incident will commence without delay,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
“We are trying our best to give the best treatment to them. The government has taken all steps to coordinate,” Kerala law minister P Rajeev said.
He added that the university has conducted a preliminary inquiry, apart from the comprehensive inquiry ordered by the CM.
