KOCHI: An evening of music and merriment at the Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) turned tragic on Saturday after a stampede left four persons, including three students, dead and another 49 injured. The tragedy occurred as a large number of students and outsiders who tried to enter the amphitheatre — the venue of the concert — were caught in a crush when the gate was opened.
The deceased have been identified as Sara Thomas of Thamarassery, Athul Thampi of Koothattukulam, Ann Ruftha of North Paravur, and Alwin Joseph of Mundoor, Palakkad. While three were second-year engineering students of Cusat, Alwin had arrived to attend the musical event. Two of the injured are in critical condition.
The Nikhita Gandhi concert — part of the annual Tech-Fest by Cusat’s School of Engineering (SoE) — was scheduled to begin at 7.30 pm, but the audience started filing in as early as 5 pm. The accident occurred around 6.55 pm. “The venue was partially filled, but students were crowding the gate, located some 10-15 feet above the amphitheatre. When the gate suddenly opened, students and other attendees fell over each other, leading to the tragedy,” said M R Ajith Kumar, additional director general of police, law & order. “This is a freak accident,” he said, adding, “the flash rain may have forced the concertgoers to run for cover and push force open the gate, leading to the accident.”
However, an eyewitness said there was no rain at the time, which is corroborated by TNIE reporters who were on the spot. “It was just a drizzle. Students would enjoy such drizzle,” said a Cusat professor, on condition of anonymity. He blamed the authorities and SoE students for lack of planning. “The Cusat campus does not have the capacity to handle such big events where outsiders are involved,” he said.
Cusat vice-chancellor P G Sankaran said police were informed about the event. “Nearly 2,500 are studying on the campus. We had notified the police about the event. But, due to the ISL match, we were told that the police were busy at the JLN Stadium,” he said.
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Aravind K S, a third-year integrated MSc student, who miraculously escaped the stampede said the tragedy was the result of poor crowd control. “During the time the volunteers, comprising students of SoE, were slowly letting the crowd in. However, around 6.55 pm, somebody suddenly opened the gate. A large number of students had been crowding near the gate. So the total effect was that those standing in the front got pushed from the back and lost their footing, tripping and falling on the steps of the amphitheatre,” he added.
He said the crowd comprised mostly of 2nd and 3rd year students. Also, the programme was being managed by students of these batches. They didn’t have any idea how to control the crowd,” he said. According to him, all the programmes on the campus are organised by students. “Teachers are never in the picture,” he said.
Another Cusat professor said the campus had been tense after KSU won the SoE elections and a couple of key posts in Cusat union elections. “A large contingent of police had been stationed on the campus for the last 5-6 days, perhaps due to intelligence of an escalation. But, on Saturday, due to the ISL (Indian Super League) match at JLN Stadium, they were deployed there,” he said.
Meanwhile, an emergency cabinet meeting held at the Kozhikode guest house on Saturday night decided to hold a detailed inquiry into the incident. As per the cabinet decision, ministers P Rajeeve and R Bindu will camp in Kalamassery to coordinate relief and other activities.
Health Minister Veena George will coordinate the activities to ensure treatment of the injured. As a mark of respect to the deceased, the cabinet decided to cancel the celebrations and cultural programmes scheduled to be held on Sunday as part of Nava Kerala Sadas. The cabinet also offered condolences to the bereaved families.