Hours after the devastating stampede in which four students lost their lives and more than 20 others were injured, the Vice Chancellor of CUSAT addressed the media, attributing the entire situation to unexpected rainfall. The tech fest, a gathering of students and participants, turned into a scene of chaos, leading to the stampede that claimed the lives of four students.
The sudden rainfall allegedly created a chaotic and panic-stricken environment, prompting the unfortunate stampede. Emergency services were promptly deployed to the scene to provide medical assistance and transport the injured to nearby medical facilities.
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.
A thorough investigation into the incident will commence without delay. 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 arrived at CUSAT in Kochi to assess the whole stampede situation. The incident has raised questions about preparedness and crowd management measures during such events. Authorities are expected to conduct a thorough investigation to ascertain the circumstances leading to the stampede and to identify any lapses in safety protocols.
As the CUSAT community mourns the loss of lives, there is a collective call for a comprehensive review of safety measures at public gatherings to prevent such tragic incidents in the future.
