Delhi school stampede: All injured students stable

“All the students are fine now. We have discharged 19 students while 12 are still in hospital, but their condition is stable,” J.P. Kapoor, head of the Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital's casualty department where the students are admitted, said. Five girl students were killed and at least 34 were injured on Thursday morning in a stampede at the Government Senior Secondary School (Classes 6-12) in Khajoori Khas of northeast Delhi. The victims were mostly from Classes 7-10 and had come to the school in pouring rain for their mid-year examinations. Till Friday two girls, Ruchi and Usha, were battling for life. However, they are now out of danger.

“The two girls are out of danger now. We are expecting speedy recovery of the remaining students,” Kapoor added. Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit ordered an inquiry into the incident Thursday. The report is expected to be submitted in two-three days.

Initial reports suggested that a rumour about electric current leaking into the rainwater in the school triggered a stampede. Victims later revealed that some of the boys who had come to the school to give their examination tried to molest them, resulting in the mishap.

Some parents maintained that there have been incidents of boys harassing girls in the past. According to hospital authorities, the medical reports suggested that there were no electrocution injuries and most girls had injuries in the abdomen, chest and hands due to the fall.