Kerala: Probe ordered after 4 die, over 60 injured in stampede at Cochin University

At the Cochin University’s annual festival, a stampede resulted in deaths of four student while over sixty reportedly injured. The Kerala government ordered an investigation into the incident.

An official release stated that State Higher Education Minister R Bindhu has assigned a three-person team to investigate the stampede incident. The team includes the vice-chancellor and registrar of Cochin University as well as the principal secretary of higher education.

The release also stated that the minister has directed the staff to carry out a comprehensive investigation and provide a report.

#CochinUniversity #Stampede#Kerala
Four students died and at least 64 others were injured in a stampede at a university in Kochi. The incident took place at the Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) on Saturday and four of the injured students are in critical… pic.twitter.com/g3j7VFcbTw

— Adv kashif kamran khan (@kashifk48) November 25, 2023

The stampede, according to officials, happened just before famous singer Nikita Gandhi was scheduled to perform at a music festival at the outdoor auditorium of the Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), which is located close to Kochi.

STORY | Cochin University Tech Fest stampede: Visuals from the Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) where a stampede-like situation broke out at the campus during a concert earlier today.

Four students, including two boys and two girls, lost their lives, while… pic.twitter.com/TmqsJMDzbY

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 25, 2023

State Health Minister Veena George said that four students—two boys and two girls—lost their lives and that more than sixty others are receiving treatment at Kalamassery Medical College Hospital and a few other local hospitals.

George stated that the conditions of four additional students were critical.

Later, the singer posted on Facebook, sharing her anguish and devastation. She claimed that the incident happened even before she was able to head to the performance location.

“No words are possibly enough to express this profound grief,” she wrote in a Facebook post. My thoughts and prayers are with the students’ families.”

ADGP M R Ajith Kumar stated that the audience rushed to the auditorium using the stairs when there was a sudden downpour, leading to a stampede and subsequent deaths.

“It was an annual festival, and from the brochure, we understood that it was held from November 24 to November 26. The musical event was organised at an auditorium with a capacity of 1,000 to 1,500 people.

“It was partially filled. But when the rains lashed suddenly, the students rushed through the stairs, leading to the tragedy,” Kumar told reporters here.

While initial reports suggested that the stampede occurred during the Nikitha Gandhi musical performance, officials later said that the singer had not begun her performance when the tragedy struck.

“The entry to the programme was restricted to ticket holders. However, several local residents were also outside the auditorium during the musical show,” an eyewitness told the media.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan held an emergency meeting at a government guest house in Kozhikode in the wake of the tragedy and condoled the death of students.

Vijayan, who chaired the meeting, later announced as canceled all cultural and art events planned in connection with the ongoing Nava Kerala Sadas programme in the northern district on Sunday.

He also deputed ministers P Rajeev and R Bindhu to rush to the campus in Kalamassery to coordinate various measures.

In a statement, the CM also directed to ensure treatment to all injured and said that George would coordinate steps in this regard.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

“Deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic stampede incident at the CUSAT university in Kochi that has claimed the lives of four students and left many injured, Gandhi, an MP from Wayanad in Kerala, said in a Facebook post.

“My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. May they find strength in this difficult time. I wish a speedy recovery to those injured, and I urge the govt of Kerala to provide them the best medical care, he said.

(with inputs from PTI)

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