Chaotic celebrations turned into a full-blown tragedy as 11 people lost their lives and 33 were injured outside the Chinnaswamy stadium while trying to join a party inside to honour Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL triumph but the felicitations went ahead nonetheless.
Thousands converged outside the stadium as police struggled to take control of the situation, resorting to mild use of force as well. That did little to discourage the people, many of whom could be seen pressed against the stadium’s entrance gate, desperate to get in.
Police had a tough time in crowd management as a large number of cricket enthusiasts tried to gain entry, at the same time, into the stadium. Police used mild force to control the crowd and bring the situation under control ahead of a special felicitation at the stadium for the RCB team organised by the Karnataka State Cricket Association.
The death toll is expected to rise as many of the seriously injured have been hospitalised at Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital in Shivajinagar and Vydehi Super Specialty Hospital here.
Calling the tragedy “heartrending” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his thoughts were with the families of the victims.“The mishap in Bengaluru is absolutely heartrending. In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that those who are injured have a speedy recovery: PM @narendramodi,” the Prime Minister’s office said in a post on X.
Assuring the people of Bengaluru that he was standing with them in their hour of grief, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi urged the Congress-led Karnataka government to provide all possible support to those affected and review the security protocols for the event.
“Deeply shocked,” wrote Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on X.” A moment of joy has been eclipsed by sorrow. I extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved families and wish a speedy recovery to the injured.”
At a press conference later in the evening, he announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the families of those who were killed in the stampede, and free treatment for the injured. He also ordered a magisterial inquiry to look for those responsible for the incident.
The BCCI said the turn of events was shocking and the organisers should have been better prepared. “It’s most unfortunate, organisers should have planned RCB’s IPL-winning celebrations better,” BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said. “When one organises a victory celebration of this magnitude, proper precautions and security measures need to be taken,” he added.
However, inside the Chinnaswamy, the show went on with players delivering speeches to acknowledge each other and the fans amid thumping music and bursting of firecrackers as well.
“It’s for all of you – the fans, the people of this wonderful city, people who’ve supported RCB through thick and thin. I’ve never seen any fan base of any team in the world like this franchise,” said Virat Kohli, who was the cynosure of all eyes after ticking another box in his illustrious career.
This was after the Rajat Patidar-led team landed in Bengaluru in the afternoon, received by Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar at the airport. RCB defeated Punjab Kings by six runs in the IPL final at Ahmedabad on Tuesday to clinch their maiden title in 18 years.
