Sri Teja, the nine-year-old boy who was critically injured in the December 4 stampede in Hyderabad’s Sandhya Theatre, continued to be in critical condition.
A health update released on Tuesday by the hospital treating him stated that he remained in the paediatric intensive care, “needing mechanical ventilation” with minimal support of oxygen and pressures.
“His fever is reducing and on minimal inotropes, his vital parameters are stable. He is tolerating feeds well. In view of static neurological status, tracheostomy is being planned to facilitate weaning from the ventilator,” stated the release from KIMS Cuddles hospital in Secunderabad.
Sri Teja was critically hurt and his mother, 39-year-old Revathi, died after a stampede broke out at the premiere of the sequel to the National Award-winning film ‘Pushpa: The Rise’.
Hyderabad City Police Commissioner CV Anand, along with the Telangana government Health Secretary, visited the hospital on behalf of the state government to inquire after Sri Teja’s health.
Speaking to the media after meeting with the doctors and visiting the child, the commissioner said that Sri Teja “was brain dead” due to lack of breathing during the stampede and that it would take a long time to recover.
According to the officers, the doctors informed him that the child was being treated through ventilator support and that the treatment would likely be prolonged.
State Health Secretary Dr. Christina Z.Chongthu said: “We are monitoring the health condition of Sri Teja regularly and hope for his speedy recovery.”
A stampede occurred at the Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad on December 4 during the premiere show, which was attended by actor Allu Arjun. A stampede followed after large crowds descended on the theatre to catch a glimpse of the actor. In the stampede, Revathi died and her son Sri Teja was suffocated.
Last week, Allu Arjun was arrested in connection with the stampede case, but was released a day later after Telangana High Court granted him interim bail.
Meanwhile, the police issued a show-cause notice to the theatre management for alleged lapses during the premiere show.
