Four students lose lives, over 60 injured in stampede
Kochi, Nov 25: Four students were killed in a stampede that ensued during a university annual festival here on Saturday night. According to preliminary reports, students inside the Cochin University campus here were enjoying a live musical event of well-known singer Nikita Gandhi which was interrupted by sudden rains that led the audience to scamper for shelter. Several students were injured in the stampede that ensued as students rushed to sheltered areas during the downpour. Four students including two boys and two girls lost their lives while over 60 others are undergoing treatment at Kalamassery Medical College Hospital and some other hospitals, according to state Health Minister Veena George. George said that the condition of four more students are critical. “The entry to the programme was restricted to ticket holders. However, several local residents were also outside the auditorium during the musical show,” an eyewitness told media. When the sudden downpour began, the entire audience rushed towards the stage, where there was some roofed area, the eyewitness added. Vijayan, who chaired the meeting, later announced as canceled all cultural and art events planned in connection with the ongoing Nava Kerala Sadas programme in the northern district on Sunday. He also deputed ministers P Rajeev and R Bindhu to rush to the campus in Kalamassery to coordinate various measures. (PTI)
UP: Speeding car kills two
Etawah, Nov 25: Two devotees on their way to Vrindavan were killed after being hit by a speeding car on the Gwalior-Etawah road here, police said on Saturday. The devotees from Lahar area of Madhya Pradesh’s Bhind were on their way to Vrindavan and had stopped in front of a dhaba near Kamet village in the Badhpura police station area on Friday night, said City Circle Officer (CO) Amit Kumar Singh. Ramsia Majhi (58) and Lalta Prasad Nahar (40) had got down from the bus to urinate and were crossing the road to go to the other side when a speeding car hit the duo, killing them on the spot, he added. The CO said 25 devotees were going to Mathura and Vrindavan for pilgrimage. (PTI)