Kochi: The post-mortem examination of the four victims involved in the stampede at the Kalamassery CUSAT campus is set to take place today. The Department of Higher Education has initiated an investigation into the incident. The individuals identified as Athul Thampi from Koothattukulam, Ann Ruftha from North Paravur, Sara Thomas from Thamarassery, and Alwin Joseph from Mundur, Palakkad, lost their lives in the incident. Except for Alwin, the other three are engineering students at CUSAT.
The unfortunate incident transpired during a music concert led by Nikhita Gandhi held in an open-air auditorium on the CUSAT campus as part of ‘Dhisna’ – the Tech Fest. The gathering, comprising over 2,000 people, included students from various colleges and local residents attending the second day of the annual tech festival. Amidst rainfall, the crowd outside the lone entry gate hurried into the auditorium, resulting in a rush that caused individuals standing inside to fall down the steps, triggering the stampede.
The toll from the incident includes 64 injured individuals, with five in critical condition. Four victims were pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. Of the injured, 46 were admitted to Kalamassery Medical College, and 16 were admitted to Kinder Hospital. Responding to the tragedy, the Higher Education Department has initiated an inquiry, seeking a report from the Vice-Chancellor and the Higher Education Secretary. Kalamassery police have registered a case of unnatural deaths, and today, statements from the injured will be recorded as part of the ongoing investigation.
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