Kochi:
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 condition, Kerala Health Minister Veena George said.
A tech fest was being held and singer Nikhita Gandhi was performing at an open-air auditorium in the campus. Reports said entry was restricted to those holding passes but the situation took a turn when it began raining. People waiting outside rushed into the auditorium to take shelter, leading to a stampede.
At least 64 students are undergoing treatment for injuries at various hospitals. Ms George said two boys and two girls were brought dead at the Kalamassery Medical College in Kochi.
“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,” 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.”