8-year-old critical after stampede at Pushpa 2 premiere in Hyderabad

Security personnel give CPR to a boy who fainted during a stampede at the premiere screening of the Allu Arjun-starrer Pushpa 2 at Sandhya Theatre, RTC Cross roads in Hyderabad on Wednesday (December 4, 2024)
| Photo Credit: PTI

An eight-year-old boy is in critical condition after collapsing during a stampede at the premiere screening of the Allu Arjun-starrer Pushpa 2 at Sandhya Theatre, RTC Cross roads in Hyderabad. The incident occurred on Wednesday (December 4, 2024) evening, and the child was rushed to at KIMS Hospital in the city in a semi-conscious state, the hospital confirmed in a statement.

The child’s 35-year-old mother passed away on Wednesday evening due to severe injuries sustained during the stampede.

According to KIMS Hospital, the child arrived at the Emergency Room (ER) having received Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) administered by police personnel and bystanders. Upon arrival, he exhibited low oxygen saturation levels and irregular breathing, necessitating immediate intubation and ventilatory support.

People waiting for the next show at Sandhya Theatre in RTC Cross Roads, Hyderabad, a day after a woman was killed in a melee at the cinema hall on Wednesday (December 4, 2024)
| Photo Credit:
Lavpreet Kaur

“A CT scan of the brain and spine was performed, revealing no significant abnormalities. While lactic acidosis has improved, the child’s sensorium remains impaired. The condition is still critical, and the patient is under intensive care with continuous monitoring as the medical team works to stabilise him,” the hospital stated.

The doctors suspect the boy’s condition may have resulted from prolonged unresponsiveness, leading to severe hypoxia (oxygen deprivation) and potential lung injury from aspiration or contusions. “Prompt CPR provided by bystanders and the police was instrumental in reviving the child, enabling further medical intervention,” the statement said.