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Time of India
5 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Bengaluru stampede aftermath: Scene strewn with footwear, bent railings; video shows haunting trail of panic
NEW DELHI: The aftermath of Wednesday's deadly stampede near the Chinnaswamy Stadium was starkly visible on Thursday morning. Twisted railings at the Karnataka Vidhana Soudha, footwear strewn across entry points, and signs of a city still reeling from the tragedy that unfolded during Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) IPL victory celebrations. At least 11 people died and 75 were injured in one of the worst fan-related tragedies in Indian cricket history. The stampede broke out at Gate No. 7 of the stadium, around two kilometres from the state assembly, after rumours spread that free tickets were being distributed for the felicitation event. Visuals from the site showed belongings of victims scattered across the road — slippers, broken barricades, torn shirts — painting a grim picture of the scale of panic. 'People completely lost control. It was a disaster,' said Achimanya, an eyewitness from Rajajinagar. The chaos intensified around 5:30 pm when sudden rain added to the confusion. With poor crowd management and ambiguity around the entry process, the crowd surged forward, causing a fatal crush. The Karnataka government, under criticism from the opposition BJP, has announced a Rs 10 lakh compensation to families of the deceased and free treatment to the injured. The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) also pledged Rs 5 lakh to each bereaved family. Meanwhile, a magisterial inquiry has been ordered to investigate the lapses. Eyewitnesses allege that police presence was inadequate, especially as over 3 lakh fans poured into the area for the celebrations. With both the Vidhana Soudha event and the stadium felicitation scheduled back-to-back, the stretched police force struggled to maintain control. Lathi charges were reported near Cubbon Park Circle, as ambulances tried to clear a path through the packed crowd. 'I could avoid the worst only because I reached late,' said Sinchana N (25), a survivor. 'Cops were not controlling the crowd in the real sense, and were just pushing people around.' Despite prior warnings, officials went ahead with plans for a victory parade featuring Virat Kohli and the RCB squad, celebrating their first-ever IPL title win. Lack of clear communication on ticket distribution and entry gates further contributed to the confusion.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
‘Free passes at Gate 7': The deadly rumour that allegedly killed 11 at Bengaluru stampede
A deadly crush unfolded on Wednesday outside Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy Stadium as thousands gathered to celebrate Royal Challengers Bengaluru 's historic IPL win. Eleven people died and more than 40 were injured after misinformation about free tickets near Gate No. 7 triggered panic, as reported by PTI. The gate, located far from the main entrance, drew crowds after word spread of free passes being handed out there. Within minutes, the situation spiralled. "People completely lost control,' said Achimanya, a resident of Rajajinagar. 'Police asked us to take another route via Cubbon Park, but panic had set in by then. Amid unverified reports of a stampede, injuries and deaths, people ran in all directions — some towards Richmond Circle, others ended up near Anil Kumble Circle. It was a disaster.' Mismatch in plans, mixed signals The day began with confusion. At 11:56 am, the Bengaluru Traffic Police announced that there would be no victory parade, only a felicitation event at the stadium. But at 3:14 pm, RCB's official account posted on X: 'Victory Parade will be followed by celebrations at the Chinnaswamy stadium... Free passes available on This contradictory messaging led thousands to converge around the stadium, many hoping to catch a glimpse of the players. Some believed free tickets were being handed out. Others had valid passes but found themselves caught in surging crowds. Police unable to manage crowd Gate 3 partially opened at around 4 pm. Crowds surged forward. In the scramble, some fell. Others tried scaling barriers. Ambulances struggled to enter the area. Around 5.30 pm, rain added to the confusion. Live Events Sinchana N, 25, said, 'As soon as the gate opened slightly, everyone pushed ahead. A glass panel broke and people got hurt. I was near Anil Kumble Circle and could avoid the worst only because I arrived late. Police were just pushing people around, and they weren't controlling the crowd in the real sense.' Another fan, Avinash S from RR Nagar, said, 'There was an ambulance with 40 injured people inside. I was lucky to get out in time. Even police were struggling to manage the crowd.' Police used mild lathicharge around Cubbon Park Circle at 6.30 pm to disperse the crowd, especially near Tonique bar. Soon after, Namma Metro halted stops at Cubbon Park and Dr B R Ambedkar stations due to the heavy footfall. A crowd far beyond what was expected Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the stadium holds around 35,000, but 2-3 lakh people had gathered. 'No one had expected that so many people would come. The match happened last evening and today this event was organised by the cricket association... Prima facie it looks like a stampede due to overcrowding. There are small gates. They have broken the gates also,' he said. Deputy CM DK Shivakumar apologised: 'This should not have happened and we never expected such a big crowd... Gates have been broken... We apologise for this incident... We want to know the facts and give a clear message…' Inside the chaos: Human stories of loss Among the dead was 14-year-old Devyamshi, who had come with her mother, sister, and relatives. 'I lost my granddaughter,' said her grandmother outside Bowring Hospital's mortuary. Naveen B, who had taken leave from work to attend the event, said, 'If the roadshow had not been cancelled, fans could've been better dispersed... The planning was terrible. Police and the govt didn't prepare for such a huge turnout.' Eyewitness Mahesh described helping those who had fallen: 'We formed a human chain around those who were on the ground so that they could get up. A woman was given CPR and wheeled into an ambulance.' Lack of preparation, high human cost The Karnataka government has announced ₹10 lakh in compensation to each of the families of the deceased. An inquiry has also been ordered. According to police sources quoted by PTI, the crush began as people without tickets tried to force entry alongside valid pass holders. 'While those with valid tickets were allowed to enter the stadium for celebrations, many tried to squeeze in with those who had free passes and tickets. In that bid to get entry, some of them also started pushing each other,' an officer said. The KSCA and police are now facing questions about why entry gates were so small and why clearer coordination was not in place. RCB, leaders express grief Royal Challengers Bengaluru issued a statement: 'We are deeply anguished by the unfortunate incidents that have come to light through media reports... RCB mourns the tragic loss of lives and extends our heartfelt condolences to the affected families.' — RCBTweets (@RCBTweets) Virat Kohli reposted it, writing: 'At a loss for words. Absolutely gutted.' Anushka Sharma also reposted the statement. President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, and Rahul Gandhi all offered condolences.
