Over 30 people were injured in a stampede-like rush during a music concert by popular Malayalam playback singer Hanan Shah in Kasaragod on Sunday night, authorities confirmed. The event was part of a local expo held at a ground near the private bus stand, attracting an estimated crowd of 15,000 people, far exceeding the venue’s capacity.
According to police, severe congestion led to physical discomfort and injuries among attendees, with 10 people initially hospitalized and others seeking treatment later, all in stable condition. The district police had to intervene as the crowd became uncontrollable by around 9 pm, finally calling off the concert and resorting to a lathi charge to disperse sections of the crowd that refused to leave.
The police have filed a case against five members of the organising committee citing serious lapses in crowd management and ignoring initial warnings not to hold the event on such a small ground.
Overcrowding and Emergencies
Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes where the crowd surged repeatedly toward the stage, causing panic and physical injury. Some attendees fainted or were trampled in the tightly packed area. Despite police presence, the influx of people overwhelmed ground safety measures.
Ambulance and medical staff worked to stabilize around 14 injured people on site before transporting them to nearby hospitals, where doctors reported injuries ranging from minor fractures to breathing difficulties. Officials noted that the organisers had failed to enforce any meaningful entry restrictions or crowd control protocols, which amplified the risk.
The administration’s efforts to use public announcements and lathi charge de-escalated the situation before it could spiral out of control but not without tension and several clashes between police and audience members.
Context and Safety Concerns
The concert was a closing event of the “Flee” expo that ran for several days in Kasaragod, typically drawing large crowds. However, Sunday’s turnout substantially surpassed expectations, posing serious safety hazards. Ticket prices originally set at ₹100 were reportedly resold at inflated rates, causing further confusion and overcrowding at the entry points.
In addition to failure to account for crowd volume, inadequate emergency planning, limited exit routes, and sparse health resources raised questions about event management. The police FIR detailed ignoring of warnings about the ground’s small size and the consequences of selling excess tickets.
This occurrence adds to increasing scrutiny on event safety regulations in Kerala following recent flash mobs and public disturbances calling for stricter enforcement and accountability.
Increasing Stampedes
India has witnessed a disturbing rise in stampede incidents in 2025, with over 100 lives lost in just the first 11 months, making it the second deadliest year in recent times for crowd-related disasters. These tragedies have spanned religious festivals, public rallies, sporting events, and transportation hubs. For instance, the Mahakumbh Mela in Prayagraj saw around 30 deaths due to poor crowd management, while a stampede at New Delhi railway station claimed 18 lives in February.
The root causes repeatedly point to inadequate infrastructure for handling massive crowds, weak enforcement of safety norms, lack of emergency response readiness, and fragmented responsibilities among organisers, police, and civic agencies. Moreover, public behaviour—panic, unchecked surges, and disregard for advisory guidelines, fuels these devastating chain reactions.
Despite the recurring nature of these events and calls for improvements, systemic challenges related to planning, coordination, and technology use continue to undermine safety efforts. This growing pattern underscores the urgent need for comprehensive reforms in crowd management and public awareness to prevent future tragedies.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This unfortunate incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for responsible event management that prioritises the safety and dignity of attendees over profit or spectacle. The Logical Indian stands firmly for peaceful public gatherings facilitated by competent, empathetic organisers and law enforcement that work proactively to prevent harm rather than react to crisis.
It is vital that cultural celebrations remain joyful and inclusive experiences, safeguarded by transparent planning, community awareness, and stricter oversight.
#Kerala: Stampede-like chaos at Kasaragod music event, 20 hospitalised
— South First (@TheSouthfirst) November 23, 2025
A music programme in Kasaragod city descended into a stampede-like situation on Sunday night, leaving around 20 people hospitalised after they reportedly fainted or experienced breathing difficulties.
The… pic.twitter.com/1eCAAryvkF
