Mattancherry | The celebration in Fort Kochi, one of the main New Years centers of the state, was crowded. About 100 people injured in the stampede were admitted to various hospitals. Police had tightened restrictions before the festivities started, but when people were returning, the police lost control, causing problems.
About 100,000 people flocked to the parade ground, which could only seat about 20,000 people. The barricades erected here for police control were not removed after the celebration, increasing the crowds. This resulted in a situation where people could not get out of the parade ground. As the rush increased, many people were injured. Many felt suffocated and sick.
About 100 people were taken to Fort Kochi Taluk hospital. Ernakulam because there are not enough doctors and health workers here
People have been transferred to private hospitals etc. A young woman fell ill during the New Year celebrations and was taken to hospital lying in an auto rickshaw. The woman, who was suffering from breathing problems due to the rush, had to be placed on top of the car as she could not find anywhere to lie down. They were given artificial respiration and placed on top of the car.
After the celebration it was announced that there would be a bus service until three in the morning, but that didn’t happen. As a result, thousands of people, including women and children, were stranded on the highway. They ate and gathered along the road and in roadside stalls until dawn.
There has also been a situation where people have pushed into the premises of families and houses in Fort Kochi. Crowd encroachment on Roro services posed a serious risk. There was a proposal to run two roro services from here, but only one was operational.
