The tragedy happened in an open-air auditorium on campus at the Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) in Kochi, a major port city in the southern state of Kerala.

The audience scrambled to find shelter after the festival was interrupted by rain.

State health minister Veena George posted a series of posts on Facebook confirming that four people - two boys and two girls - were found dead.

Ms George said "many people got injured in the rush" at the university - amid reports suggesting at least 60 people have been hurt.

She said 56 people were taken to hospital for treatment, with five girls in a critical condition in an intensive care unit.

Seventeen children have now been discharged, Ms George added.

More than 100 ambulances have been deployed to the scene.

The disaster happened ahead of a performance by Nikhita Gandhi, before she arrived at the venue.

The singer posted a statement on Instagram saying she was "heartbroken and devastated" by the incident.

"Such an unfortunate incident took place before I could even leave for the venue for the performance," she told her 253,000 followers.

"No words are possibly enough to express this profound grief. My prayers go out to the families of the students."

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Ms George has ordered senior officials, including the directors of the state health department and health education department, to send doctors and other health workers to both Kalamassery Medical College and Ernakulam General Hospital.

Private hospitals have also been instructed to prepare for arrivals in the wake of the incident.

Kerala's top elected official, Pinarayi Vijayan, said he has ordered an investigation into the disaster.