CUSAT tech fest stampede: "Crowd was huge and there was rainfall," says Vice Chancellor

Kochi (Kerala) [India], November 25 (ANI): Hours after a stampede claimed the lives of four students and injured several others in Kochi, the Vice Chancellor of Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) claimed that the whole situation was created due to sudden rainfall.
The stampede occurred during a tech fest on Saturday in an open-air auditorium on the campus of the Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT).
Vice Chancellor of CUSAT, PG Sankaran, said, "As part of Tech Fest, a musical programme was also organised. Unfortunately, the crowd was huge and there was rain. The steps created some problems and some students fell down. The number of people injured I can only tell tomorrow. More than 2,000 people attended. Two students are critical."

Municipal Councillor Pramod also spoke to ANI about the stampede situation at the university and said that the same exit and entrance of the university gate led to the whole stampede situation.
"Exit and entrance through the same gate led to the stampede. Students were trying to enter through the same gate. Students who were entering through the steep steps fell down first and the huge crowd at the gate stomped them again and again," Pramod said.

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)