At the annual Tech Fest of the Cochin University of Science and Technology in Kochi, Kerala, India, a music concert became the scene of a fatal stampede on November 25, 2023.
The chaos left four students dead and a minimum of 64 injured.
The incident arose at a performance by playback singer Nikhita Gandhi at the open-air university venue. Triggered by a heavy rain onset, panic led to a surge among the attendees to seek shelter, and the resulting crush on auditorium steps led to students being walked over in the commotion, a high-ranking police officer explained.
Two male and two female students succumbed to their injuries. Three of the students – Athul Thampi, Ann Rufta, and Sandra Thomas – were second-year engineering students at the university. Four of the wounded are reported in critical condition.
Following the tragedy, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan mourned the loss and ensured a prompt investigation and medical assistance. The university’s Vice Chancellor detailed the events, adding that over 2,000 people were in attendance, and a firm attendee injury count would follow. A municipal councilor underlined the single gate used for entry and exit as a major safety lapse, causing attendees to fall and be stepped on in the crowd’s struggle to exit.
Singer Nikhita Gandhi offered her sympathies via a social media post, as she was due to perform when the disaster occurred.
