The Ditible
Kathmandu, 15 January, In a chaotic turn of events on Monday, Tundikhel, the iconic open ground in the heart of Kathmandu, witnessed a stampede during the celebration of Maghi and Maghe Sankranti programs. The festive gatherings, organized separately by the Tharu and Magar communities, attracted a massive crowd, leading to a challenging situation.
The Kathmandu police reported that the attempt to navigate through the dense crowd resulted in a stampede, leaving eight individuals injured. SP Kumud Dhungel, spokesperson for the Kathmandu District Police Range, confirmed that all injured parties were promptly transported to the National Trauma Center for immediate medical attention. Fortunately, their condition is reported to be stable, and they are receiving the necessary care.
SP Dhungel shed light on the complexities of the situation, emphasizing the simultaneous influx and exodus of a large number of people, contributing to congestion at the Tundikhel gate. The stampede occurred as the convergence of celebrants from both communities created a bottleneck, exacerbating the challenges faced by event organizers and local authorities.
The incident raises questions about crowd management during large-scale events, especially during cultural and festive gatherings. Authorities are expected to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances leading to the stampede and implement necessary measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
