Kerala College Tragedy: What Caused The Stampede?

An evening which should have ideally been a memorable one turned out to be a tragedy inside the Cochin University campus on Saturday as the stampede ended in the death of four students. At least, 65 students have been injured in the incident.

What Caused The Accident?
Describing it as a 'freak incident', Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) M R Ajith Kumar stated that the sudden rains led 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.

Talking about the incident, Mahila Congress district president Sarada 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."

According to Municipal Councillor Pramod, the same gate was being used for entry and exit which led to the stampede.

"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," he was quoted as saying by ANI.

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.