Stampede: Six casualties declared out of danger

Six persons who were injured in the stampede that occurred at Pulmedu and admitted to various hospitals in the district, were declared to be out of danger on Saturday.

Four pilgrims were admitted to the Kottayam Medical College Hospital (MCH) in the early hours of Saturday. These include Janaki Ramakrishnan (56), hailing from the Palakkad district; Narayana Rao (35) from Rajahmundry in Andhra Pradesh; Vasu (30) from Koppal district in Karnataka; and another man, who is yet to be identified.

Speaking to

The Hindu , MCH Superintendent Dr. P.K. Balakrishnan clarified that the unidentified person initially believed to be in a life-threatening condition, has regained consciousness and is fast recovering.

Two other injured, who were admitted to the Kanjirappally Taluk Hospital, have been discharged upon being certified to have recovered. The pilgrims have been identified as Ramesh (34), and Madhavachary (31), both hailing from Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh.

According to Dr. Balakrishnan, chances are bleak that more casualties would be admitted to the MCH. However, all necessary precautions have been adopted to tackle any kind of emergency that could arise. It is also expected that some of the bodies will be brought to the hospital to conduct embalming procedures.

Meanwhile, the 51st Kerala State Arts Festival that was scheduled to commence in Kottayam on Monday has been postponed, Education Minister M.A. Baby has announced. The rescheduled dates will be announced after a meeting of the organising committee on Saturday evening.