Tragedy At Tech Fest In Kerala College; 4 Students Killed In Stampede During Concert

In an unfortunate incident, four students died in a stampede during a Tech Fest at the Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) on Saturday evening.

Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) M R Ajith Kumar said, "It is suspected that there was a college arts function being held by the school of engineering. The invitees were asked to come in back t-shirts...Due to sudden rain people who were at the sites tried to get inside. So suddenly people who were on the steps fell down & people walked over them...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 medical college..."

The incident occurred during a music concert featuring Nikhita Gandhi at the open-air auditorium around 7 pm. The stampede is reported to have ensued when students hurriedly entered the music hall due to a sudden downpour.

Students from various other colleges were also participating in the event, and as a consequence, the identities of the deceased have not yet been revealed yet.

Over 2,000 students are believed to be taking part in the annual fest.

Meanwhile, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has expressed his shock over the incident.

"The entire state is in shock over the stampede that unfolded at CUSAT University in Ernakulam. 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 said on X.

Governor Arif Mohammed Khan expressed his condolence and said, "Deeply shocked and grieved to know about the sad demise of four students at a stampede at CochinUniversity of Science&Technology. Heartfelt condolences to their families. Prayers for speedy recovery of injured."