CUSAT tragedy: Classmates and teachers in tears to pay homage, investigation announced 

KOCHI: The post-mortem of the four, who died in the stampede when the ganamela at the Kochi University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) Techfest, was about to start, was completed. The bodies of the students are kept in the college for public homage. Many including classmates and teachers arrived to pay their last respects and many broke down seeing the bodies.

Meantime, the department of higher education has announced an investigation into the accident. A report has been sought from the vice chancellor and higher education secretary. The police have presently registered a case of unnatural death.

The accident that shook the state happened yesterday. Four including three students died in the accident. Two of them are girls. 72 people were injured in the accident and three of them are in a critical condition.

The dead have been identified as Athul Thamby (23), son of Thampi in Koothattukulam Kizhakombu Kochupara, Anne Rifta (20), daughter of Roy George Kutti in North Paravur Gothuruthu Kurumbathuruthu Konath, Sara Thomas from Tamarassery in Kozhikode and Alvin Joseph from Palakkad Mundur. Alvin is not a student. Lilly is Athul Thamby mother and brother is Ajin Thamby. Ann Rifta's mother is Sindhu and brother is Rithul.

As it started raining when the programme was about to start, many including those standing outside rushed into the open-air auditorium and this led to the stampede. 48 are undergoing treatment at Kalamassery Medical College. Students are also being treated in other nearby hospitals. 15 people are also undergoing treatment at Kalamassery Kinder Hospital.

The fest, which started on Friday under the leadership of the School of Engineering, was supposed to end today. Bollywood singer Nikita's Ganasandhya was to be held yesterday. Vice Chancellor Dr P G Sankaran told media that there were more than 3000 students in the auditorium for the programme conducted through pass.