Kerala: Stampede during tech fest at Kochi's CUSAT kills 4 students, 46 injured

Kochi: In a tragic incident, at least four students died while 46 others were injured in a stampede during a musical concert organised as part of the 'Tech Fest' at the Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) on Saturday evening.

The deceased include two girls and two boys. Of the 46 injured, the condition of 10 are reported to be critical. The injured are undergoing treatment at the state-run Medical College and Hospital at Kalamassery. Health Minister Veena George is coordinating the treatment facilities at the hospital.

Industries Minister and local legislator P. Rajeeve said that he has been informed by the district collector about the tragic incident, and he along with Higher Education Minister R. Bindhu are leaving for Kochi.

According to reports, trouble began when there was a mad rush of students in the open air auditorium as rains came down. Soon, the students taking part in other activities outside the auditorium also rushed into it, leading to a stampede.

Saturday was the last day of the three-day fest, which also included an auto show. While over 4,000 students study in CUSAT, Saturday being the last day of fest, many outsiders were also present on the university campus. The concert featured playback singer Nikhita Gandhi.

'Sudden rains during Music Fest led to freak accident,' say police

Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) M R Ajith Kumar called the incident a 'freak accident' and said that the sudden rains in the area drove the huge crowd of students to the stampede since all of the students tried to take cover from the rainfall.

"It is suspected that there was a college arts function being held by the school of engineering. The invitees were asked to come in black T-shirts. Due to the sudden rain, people who were at the sites tried to get inside. Suddenly, people who were on the steps fell down, and people stomped over them. The fest turned into a freak accident," ADGP said.

"Four people were brought dead to the hospital, and another four were seriously injured. Other than that, around a total of 46 people have reported injuries in the medical college," the official added.

Mahila Congress district president Sarada also spoke to ANI on the CUSAT stampede and said, "The queue was uncontrollable. Due to rain, they rushed in. First, some fell down, then others fell down on top of them. By the time we reached here, students were taken to the hospital by ambulance."

An eyewitness to the whole situation at the university, Jalsan says, "This happened around 6:50 p.m. When I arrived here, three to four students were taken to the hospital. It was drizzling. Students rushed in and due to steep steps and pushing, this happened."

As per sources, 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, sources said.

"Crowd was huge and there was rainfall," says Vice Chancellor

Hours after a stampede claimed the lives of four students and injured several others in Kochi, the Vice Chancellor of Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) claimed that the whole situation was created due to sudden rainfall.

Vice Chancellor of CUSAT, PG Sankaran, said, "As part of Tech Fest, a musical programme was also organised. Unfortunately, the crowd was huge and there was rain. The steps created some problems and some students fell down. The number of people injured I can only tell tomorrow. More than 2,000 people attended. Two students are critical."

Municipal Councillor Pramod also spoke to ANI about the stampede situation at the university and said that the same exit and entrance of the university gate led to the whole stampede situation.

"Exit and entrance through the same gate led to the stampede. Students were trying to enter through the same gate. Students who were entering through the steep steps fell down first and the huge crowd at the gate stomped them again and again," Pramod said.

As per sources, 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, sources said.

Probe into the incident 

A music tech fest witnessed a tragic turn of events after sudden rainfall in the area created a stampede-like situation and turned the joyous event into a fatal scenario.

The stampede claimed the lives of four students, critically injured two and left several others with minor injuries during the tech fest on Saturday, which was held in the open-air auditorium on the CUSAT campus.

Health Minister Veena George informed earlier in the day about the situation and said that arrangements have been made at Kalamassery Medical College for the injured students.

Meanwhile, police officials have arrived at CUSAT in Kochi to assess the whole stampede situation. A thorough investigation into the incident will commence without delay.