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A music tech festival at the Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) witnessed a tragic turn of events after sudden rainfall in the area created a stampede-like situation and turned the joyous event into a fatal scenario.
The stampede claimed the lives of four students, critically injured two and left several others with minor injuries during the tech fest on Saturday, which was held in the open-air auditorium on the CUSAT campus. Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) M R Ajith Kumar called the incident a 'freak accident' and said that the sudden rains in the area drove the huge crowd of students to the stampede since all of the students tried to take cover from the rainfall. "It is suspected that there was a college arts function being held by the school of engineering. The invitees were asked to come in black T-shirts. Due to the sudden rain, people who were at the sites tried to get inside. Suddenly, people who were on the steps fell down, and people stomped over them. The fest turned into a freak accident," ADGP said. "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 the medical college," the official added. Mahila Congress district president Sarada also spoke to ANI on the CUSAT stampede and said, "The queue was uncontrollable. Due to rain, they rushed in. First, some fell down, then others fell down on top of them. By the time we reached here, students were taken to the hospital by ambulance." An eyewitness to the whole situation at the university, Jalsan says, "This happened around 6:50 p.m. When I arrived here, three to four students were taken to the hospital. It was drizzling. Students rushed in and due to steep steps and pushing, this happened." 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 have arrived at CUSAT in Kochi to assess the whole stampede situation. (ANI)
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