At least 10 people lost their lives in a horrific crush outside a Bengaluru stadium celebrating the Indian Premier League title win of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Thousands of fans gathered on Wednesday to cheer their team, but when the gates remained closed, panic ensued, leading to a stampede.
Tragedy Strikes as 10 Die in Bengaluru Cricket Stadium Crush
Tragedy Strikes as 10 Die in Bengaluru Cricket Stadium Crush
A crowd surge during celebration of IPL victory leads to fatal incident outside Chinnaswamy Stadium.
On Wednesday, the picturesque streets of Bengaluru were transformed into a sea of red and gold as supporters celebrated the Royal Challengers Bengaluru's recent triumph over Punjab Kings in the IPL finals. However, the jubilation took a dark turn when, amidst enthusiasm, a sudden crush at the gates of Chinnaswamy Stadium led to the tragic deaths of at least 10 individuals.
Local authorities reported that the stampede occurred before the gates were officially opened to welcome the fans. A senior police official revealed to BBC Hindi that a staggering number of approximately 200,000 spectators flocked to the venue, far exceeding initial estimates of half that amount. Witnesses reported chaos as eager fans pushed towards the entry points, resulting in an overwhelming surge.
The RCB team had just arrived via a special flight at HAL airport and was celebrated by dignitaries, including Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister, before embarking on a procession to their hotel. They were set to make a grand entrance at Vidhana Soudha, the state legislature's seat, where notable government figures awaited them.
As excitement enveloped the city, transportation became a challenge. Metro trains were overcrowded, leaving many fans, including this reporter, stranded outside as they chanted the team’s name in unison. Taxi and auto-rickshaw services were overwhelmed, forcing fans to scramble for transport from distant drop-off points.
Following the tragic news of the fatalities, panic surged through the crowd, prompting many to flee towards metro stations. Authorities swiftly closed stations in the vicinity of the stadium due to overcrowding, complicating the already chaotic situation.
Local authorities reported that the stampede occurred before the gates were officially opened to welcome the fans. A senior police official revealed to BBC Hindi that a staggering number of approximately 200,000 spectators flocked to the venue, far exceeding initial estimates of half that amount. Witnesses reported chaos as eager fans pushed towards the entry points, resulting in an overwhelming surge.
The RCB team had just arrived via a special flight at HAL airport and was celebrated by dignitaries, including Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister, before embarking on a procession to their hotel. They were set to make a grand entrance at Vidhana Soudha, the state legislature's seat, where notable government figures awaited them.
As excitement enveloped the city, transportation became a challenge. Metro trains were overcrowded, leaving many fans, including this reporter, stranded outside as they chanted the team’s name in unison. Taxi and auto-rickshaw services were overwhelmed, forcing fans to scramble for transport from distant drop-off points.
Following the tragic news of the fatalities, panic surged through the crowd, prompting many to flee towards metro stations. Authorities swiftly closed stations in the vicinity of the stadium due to overcrowding, complicating the already chaotic situation.
