Bengaluru:) At least 11 people lost their lives and 33 were injured in a tragic stampede outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Wednesday, as an overwhelming crowd gathered for Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL victory celebrations.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed deep grief over the incident and announced ₹10 lakh compensation for the families of each of the deceased, all of whom were young men and women.
“No one anticipated this. Neither the Cricket Association nor the government expected such a huge crowd. The stadium can accommodate only 35,000 people, but over two to three lakh fans turned up,” Siddaramaiah told reporters, explaining that the rally had to be organised early this morning following last evening’s IPL final.
Thousands of jubilant fans had gathered near the gates of the stadium since early morning, hoping to catch a glimpse of their favourite players and the trophy. The situation spiralled out of control when the surging crowd overwhelmed entry points, triggering a deadly stampede.
“Thirty-three people have been injured, with 47 reported to have sustained varying levels of trauma initially. Some were discharged after treatment,” the Chief Minister stated, adding that all injured individuals would receive free medical care.
Siddaramaiah assured that those undergoing treatment in both government and private hospitals will have their medical expenses fully borne by the state. “I have spoken with doctors to ensure proper treatment for all the injured,” he said.
The tragedy has cast a shadow over what was meant to be a jubilant public celebration of RCB’s maiden IPL title. The Chief Minister has ordered officials to expedite compensation and ensure families of the deceased are supported. UNI
