4 students dead in stampede at Cochin University

A stampede at a Kochi university resulted in the unfortunate deaths of four students and at least 64 injuries. Four of the injured students are in serious condition following the incident that happened on Saturday at the Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), according to Kerala Health Minister Veena George.

There was a tech event going on, and Nikhita Gandhi was performing in a university outdoor arena. According to reports, only those with passes were allowed in, but as it started to rain, things became more complicated. There was a stampede as people who were waiting outside rushed inside the auditorium to find safety, causing several students to slip and fall.

At 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, the government guest house in Kozhikode had an emergency meeting of ministers, presided over by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. In light of the tragedy, all celebratory and artistic events that were planned for Sunday as part of the CPM's outreach campaign, Nava Kerala Sadas, will be cancelled, the ministers said in their condolences.

At least sixty-four students are receiving treatment for injuries at different hospitals. According to Ms George, the Kalamassery Medical College in Kochi got two boys and two girls who were brought in dead.

"The news is extremely unfortunate. 46 people were brought to the Kalamassery Medical College with injuries. Four were brought dead, of which two were boys and two were girls. The condition of four is critical. Two of them are in a private hospital and the other two are undergoing treatment at a government hospital," said the health minister.

She added, "18 injured people are admitted to a private hospital. We alerted the hospitals as soon as we found out. A team of doctors is collecting information from the hospitals."

According to Municipal Councillor Pramod, the crowding was caused in part by the use of the same gate for both entry and exit.

As said by news agency ANI, he was quoted, "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 on them again and again.”

_{(Photo: Thulasi Kakkat and India Today)}