In view of the stampede during a music concert at Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) that claimed four lives and caused injuries to many students, Kerala government decided to form a commission to probe into the incident and to give suggestions on steps to be taken to avoid such tragedies in future.
Kerala Higher Education Minister R Bindu said that technical experts would be included in the three member commission.
Meanwhile, the condition of two students who got injured in the stampede on Saturday evening continues to be critical. Around 40 students are now under treatment. Many students left hospitals after first-aid.
Bodies of the three students of the School of Engineering under CUSAT are being placed at the college for paying homages on Sunday. The bodies will be later taken to their native places.
The deceased were identified as Athul Thampi of Koothatukulam near Kochi, Ann Rufta of North Paravur near Kochi, Sara Thomas of Thamarassery in Kozhikode and Albin Joseph of Palakkad. Except Albin, others were stridents of the School of Engineering.
The police would be registering a case against the organisers of the event. Kochi city Police commissioner A Akbar said that the police were not informed about the music concert.
As per preliminary assessment, the stampede occurred due to improper crowd management.
Even as rain led to students rushing to the venue, delay in allowing students to enter the venue and restricting entry only through one gate had aggravated the issue, police sources said.
Published 26 November 2023, 05:55 IST