A night of planned entertainment at the popular Bekal International Beach Festival turned distressing as a crowd surge during a musical performance led to multiple hospitalizations. In a separate and tragic incident, a festival-goer lost his life after being hit by a train near the venue.
Chaos During Rapper Vedan's Performance
The incident occurred on Monday night during the performance of rapper Vedan. The program, held near Bekal Park, was scheduled for an 8 pm start but faced a significant delay of nearly 90 minutes. This delay contributed to a swelling crowd, and when the show finally began, a rush towards the stage created a dangerous situation.
Many in the audience struggled to breathe and felt intense discomfort due to the surge and subsequent crush. The Bekal Station House Officer (SHO) confirmed that two individuals were shifted to a hospital for medical attention. Sources indicated that several others also sought treatment, but thankfully, the condition of all affected persons was reported as stable.
Separate Tragic Fatality Near Venue
In an unrelated but devastating event, a man from Koyilandy who had come to watch the rapper's show met with a fatal accident. He was killed after being hit by a train while crossing the railway track near the programme venue. Despite being rushed to a private hospital in Kasaragod, he could not be saved.
Festival Context and Organizers
The Bekal International Beach Festival is a major event on the tourism calendar, running from December 20 to December 31. This year's edition holds special significance as it coincides with the 30th anniversary of the Bekal Resorts Development Corporation (BRDC). The festival is being jointly organized by the BRDC and the state tourism department.
While the festival aims to celebrate culture and boost tourism, Monday's events have cast a shadow, raising questions about crowd management and safety protocols around large public gatherings.
