Tragic Stampede at CUSAT Music Festival Claims Lives of Four Students: Kerala Government Orders Inquiry Reports

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Kerala Government Orders Inquiry Reports Following Tragic Stampede at CUSAT

In the wake of the devastating stampede at Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) that claimed the lives of four students, the Kerala government has taken swift action by directing the principal secretary of higher education and the university vice-chancellor to submit inquiry reports. The incident occurred during a music festival at CUSAT in Kochi on Saturday evening, just moments before singer Nikhita Gandhi was set to take the stage.

The aftermath of the stampede was haunting, with shoes and slippers left scattered across the auditorium the following day. The tragic incident has prompted the government to issue proper guidelines and precautionary measures to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. Minister R Bindu expressed her condolences and assured the public that this was an unprecedented event in the university’s history.

To ensure a thorough investigation, the Kerala government has formed an expert committee to delve into the circumstances surrounding the stampede. Additionally, reports have been requested from the university vice-chancellor and the principal secretary of the Higher Education Department.

However, questions have been raised about the lack of police presence and crowd control measures at the event. State Law and Industries Minister P Rajeev revealed that police advisories on crowd control for auditoriums in Ernakulam had been issued, but educational institutions were excluded. Kochi City Police Commissioner A Akbar stated that there was no official requisition from the university for police assistance.

The bodies of the three deceased students were brought to the university campus for tributes, while the fourth victim was identified as Alwin, a resident of Palakkad. The impact of the stampede has left two individuals in critical condition, currently under intensive care at a private hospital, while three others are receiving treatment in the ICU of Kalamassery government medical college hospital. Thankfully, 31 individuals are in stable condition in the general ward.

Expressing her deep sadness over the incident, Nikhita Gandhi took to Facebook to offer her condolences. She emphasized that the stampede occurred before she could even reach the venue, absolving herself of any blame.

In response to the tragedy, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan held an emergency meeting to address the situation and extend his heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased students.

As the investigation continues, it is hoped that the inquiry reports will shed light on the reasons behind the stampede and provide valuable insights to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. The government, along with the university authorities, is committed to taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety and well-being of students and attendees at future events..