Bengaluru: A joyful moment turned into a tragic one in Bengaluru on Wednesday when a stampede outside Chinnaswamy Stadium claimed 11 lives and injured at least 47 people. What was meant to be a grand celebration of Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) first-ever IPL title ended in panic, chaos and heartbreak.
The incident began when rumours spread that free tickets for the victory celebration were being given at gate no 7 of the stadium. Thousands of fans, already gathered in large numbers to join the event, rushed to that gate in hopes of getting inside. Within minutes, the area became dangerously overcrowded.
Poor planning and crowd control
Initially, only a limited number of passes were issued for the event, but very few people could get them. Later, it was suddenly announced that entry would be free for all. This last-minute change led to an overwhelming crowd of fans attempting to enter the stadium from every direction.
Unfortunately, the stadium’s entry points were not ready for such a huge rush. Gate no 7, a narrow and crowded access point, became the epicentre of the chaos. People began pushing and falling over each other. As pressure increased, barricades fell, trapping people underneath, and many were trampled in the confusion.
Eyewitnesses said there was no proper crowd management. “Police were just pushing people instead of guiding or controlling the crowd,” eyewitness Sinchana told TOI. Sudden rain around 5.30 pm made the situation worse, causing people to slip and panic further.
Ambulances stuck, police struggled
As the stampede broke out, ambulances were unable to reach the injured due to blocked roads and thick crowds. Police eventually resorted to lathicharge near Cubbon Park Circle to clear the area, but by then, many had already collapsed or gotten hurt.
A witness from RR Nagar, said, “I saw an ambulance packed with injured people. Even police officers were helpless.”
Why stampede happened: Key reasons
- Rumours of free entry: Sparked a massive rush toward gate no 7.
- Poor communication: Lack of clarity on entry passes led to confusion.
- Narrow gates: The entry point wasn’t wide enough for the large crowd.
- Inadequate police and safety arrangements: There was no proper crowd control.
- Sudden weather change: Rain added to the chaos and panic.
