Eleven feared dead in IPL title celebration stampede
At least 11 people were feared dead and another 50 injured in a stampede at an event celebrating Royal Challengers Bengaluru's maiden Indian Premier League title.
The star-studded RCB franchise ended a long wait to lift the IPL trophy on Tuesday, beating Punjab Kings in the 18th edition of the tournament.
As the team flew back from Ahmedabad to Bengaluru, a celebration event was hastily organised in the city to toast the title. Fans gathered at the Vidhana Soudha, the city's legislative building, and at the nearby M Chinnaswamy Stadium, RCB's home ground.
Local media reported that so busy were the celebrations that there had been a stampede, killing at least 11 people and injuring dozens more.
Press Trust of India
RCB's victory has caused a frenzy, in part because of the long wait for a title, but also because of the involvement of Virat Kohli, one of India's finest ever batsmen.
Three victims, who were taken to Bowring Hospital, were declared dead on arrival, while four others died at Vydehi Multispeciality Hospital. It is understood the stampede occurred when hundreds tried to enter M Chinnaswamy Stadium through a gate near Cubbon Park. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has visited Bowring Hospital.
Some of the injured were administered CPR by other fans. Police had a tough time in moving the victims to hospitals as there was heavy traffic around the stadium. Several were taken in police vehicles, ambulances and even in private vehicles. Relatives of the deceased were found crying outside the Bowring Hospital.
RCB have been one of the best-supported IPL clubs since the league's inception, with their popularity tied to the figure of Kohli, who has been with them since the very start, making this his maiden title, too. The 36-year-old recently retired from Test cricket and occupies an exalted status in the Indian game.
Among those in the crowd for the final was former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who is an RCB fan because his wife's family are from Bengaluru. The couple was photographed with Kohli and his wife Anushka Sharma, the famous Bollywood actress, after the game.
While Kohli, as ever, provided the headline act, RCB's title win had strong English influence through players Phil Salt, Liam Livingstone and Jacob Bethell (who had returned home before the final), as well as director of cricket Mo Bobat and analyst Freddie Wilde.
The IPL was due to finish on May 25, but took an eight-day break following the opening of hostilities between India and Pakistan last month.
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