New Delhi: During a local football match on Saturday evening, a makeshift gallery set up at LP School ground in Kerala’s Poongod collapsed, injuring over 200 persons, 15 of whom are said to be in critical condition.

A video shows a gallery with over 200 people collapsing, with floodlights falling on the people attempting to flee the scene. On the other side of the gallery, people raced to the scene and attempted to save those who had been injured in the tragedy. The disaster occurred at Poongod in the Malappuram district during the All India Sevens Football Tournament.

“A temporary gallery collapsed during a football match in Poongod, Malappuram, yesterday, injuring over 200 persons, five of whom were seriously injured,” police said.

A temporary gallery collapsed during a football match in Poongod, Malappuram, yesterday, injuring over 200 persons, five of whom were seriously injured, according to police. pic.twitter.com/MPlTMPFqxV #Kerala

The crowds were larger than expected, and the gallery was filled to capacity, according to Matrubhumi. Over 8,000 people reportedly rushed to the stadium to watch the All India Sevens Football Tournament final, with the east stand holding over 3,000 people, much beyond its capacity, according to authorities. The disaster occurred just before the last match was about to begin.

According to the Matrubhumi report, Malappuram SP said that the organisers would face heavy punishment, and that the department will investigate the accident.

Several people who were hurt were sent to the hospital.taken to Manjeri Medical College and Hospital and others were sent back home after being given first aid, said the report. The injured also included children.