20 students of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) are said to be hospitalized at the university’s teaching hospital following a stampede at an examination hall on the campus.
Reports yet to be confirmed by the school authorities, say the stampede happened on Saturday when the new students were rushing to secure seats from available spaces to write the General Studies and Communication Skills (GSS) examination.
Eyewitnesses say the GSS examination which was for the 100-level students from all the faculties of the university was supposed to be taken on Friday but due to yet to be confirmed reasons, the paper was moved to Saturday (today).
The examination, one of the sources said, was meant to be taken in batches, but in an attempt by some students to secure space and be among first to sit for the examination, the rush led to the unfortunate incident.
The university started its second semester examination on October 16, 2023 and the GSS paper was the last examination to be taken.
Efforts to speak with the university management by newsmen were unsuccessful as the public relations officer of the university could not be reached as of the time of filing this report.