RCB victory celebrations turn tragic as 11 die in stampede
The frenzied celebration in Bengaluru over RCB winning the IPL after 18 long years took a tragic turn with at least 11 people feared dead in a stampede.
The chaos began after a crowd gathered near M Chinnaswamy Stadium for a felicitation of the team held by the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA).
A huge crowd had also gathered outside the Vidhana Soudha, where the RCB squad proceeded from the airport to meet with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
Visuals showed police shifting injured and unconscious people to a nearby hospital. Many people who came to watch the celebrations fainted amid the stampede, eyewitnesses said.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said the crowd was “uncontrollable”. “I apologise for the overcrowding,” Shivakumar said. “We arranged more than 5,000 personnel. This is a young vibrant crowd, we can’t use lathi on them.”
“I have spoken to the Police Commissioner. I will also go to the hospital later. I do not want to disturb the doctors who are taking care of the patients. The exact number cannot be told now. We appeal to the people to remain calm. We shortened the programme; it ended within 10 minutes… Lakhs of people came,”Shivakumar told reporters.