Pramesh S Jain & Yogesh K Porwar
The celebration of Royal Challengers Bengaluru turned into disaster on Wednesday evening when 11 people aged below 40 years to 33 years were killed and over 40 people injured when a massive build up of fans at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium broke into chao leading to a stampede.
The tragedy unfolded near the gates of the stadium, where thousands of fans had gathered to mark RCB’s historic first title win in 18 years.Overcrowding and narrow passageways led to a deadly crush.
Mr.Siddaramaiah admitted that while the stadium could hold around 32,000 people,well over 2 lakhs gathered there.
Doctors attributed all the deaths to asphyxia,a condition arising when the body is deprived of oxygen,causing unconsciousness or death.
While six of the 10 deaths have been confirmed at the State-run Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital and Research Institute in Shivajinagar,four persons,including a female corporate professional,were brought dead to Vydehi Super- speciality Hospital on Mallya Road.One death was reported at Manipal Hospital,Millers’ Road.
A sea of loyal RCB fans had begun converging at the Stadium since early evening,hoping to catch a glimpse of their favourite players with the much-coveted trophy as part of the anticipated open-bus victory parade from Vidhana Soudha to Chinnaswamy Stadium.
A victory parade announced by the RCB team,though the police claimed to have not allowed it,had led to lakhs congregating all around the stadium.
A stampede-like situation erupted at the gates of the stadium when they demanded to be let in even as the stadium was full.
Police were outnumbered as the frenzied fans fell over each other to gain entry and jumped over barricades.
Even as chaos and tragedy unfolded outside,the event in the stadium scaled down and wrapped up in a hurry.The felicitation event prior to this,at Vidhana Soudha, attended by the Chief Minister,Deputy Chief Minister and Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot,was also hurriedly concluded.
Meanwhile,giving details of deaths and injuries,Bowring Hospital Dean cum Director Manoj Kumar H.V.said five, including a 13-year-old girl,were brought dead and one was gasping for breath when he was brought there.
Apart from the six deceased,including three women,19 injured fans are currently being treated in the hospital.
While a few of them have suffered fractures (ankle, spine and neck) and injuries in the leg and abdomen,a few have suffered head injuries.Their condition is stable as of now,the doctor said.
Vydehi Medical hospital sources said apart from the four deceased,12 others who have suffered injuries are under treatment at the hospital.Their condition is stable,she said.
Roads in and around the stadium and the entire Central Business District (CBD) were choked and traffic police had trouble ensuring smooth movement of vehicles as huge crowds descended by road,Namma Metro,and on foot.
The details of the deceased were revealed by Leader of Opposition R Ashoka after he visited the Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital in Shivajinagar.
The deceased Divyanshi,13,from Yelahanka Old Town who was here with her mother to watch the victory celebration of maiden IPL title winners Royal Challengers Banglore (RCB).She was declared dead at 4.38 pm.
The others,as per Ashoka,are Divya,age unknown,a dentist,who was declared dead at 4.27 pm;Shravan KT, 20,a dental student who was declared dead at 5.15 pm.
“Three others aged 35,17 and 25,were yet to be identified as their kin hadn’t arrived at the hospital,”Ashoka said.
The LoP said that as may as 24 were injured,of whom one sustained head injured and was critical and was referred to NIMHANS.
Vasuki,the mother of an injured Venu,21,was at the hospital anxiously waiting for news about him.
“We were informed by my son’s friend,who is with him. Fortunately,he suffered a minor leg injury.He was here for the victory celebration,”she added.
Vydehi Hospital confirms 16 casualties,4 brought dead
A doctor from Vydehi Hospital addressed the media, confirming that 16 casualties were brought in following the stampede incident.
The cause of death is suspected to be suffocation.
The remaining victims suffered minor injuries,including two injuries and other non-serious wounds.
8 individuals had minor injuries,with no major or life-threatening conditions reported among them.
Most of the victims are believed to be locals from the city,and many were accompanied by friends,not immediate family.
Most of them were students,mostly from the 25-30 age group,also working employee.
The hospital is currently in the process of notifying families.
DK Shivakumar on stampede incident:
“We saw the situation on the ground and accordingly changed the program plan.Due to over crowded metro stations,traffic congestion,and the overwhelming public turnout,we decided not to continue with the event as originally scheduled.
I visited the hospital to meet the injured fans.
We did everything we could.I don’t blame the police, managing such a huge crowd was beyond anyone’s control.
That’s why we avoided using the open vehicle for the players and wrapped up the program within 10 to 15 minutes to ensure safety.”
The stampede occurred near Gate 12 of Chinnaswamy Stadium,where a large crowd had gathered.
In the aftermath,the area was strewn with abandoned bags,slippers,and personal belongings,a chilling reminder of the panic that unfolded.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of confusion and desperation, as people struggled to move through the congested space.
Emergency responders had difficulty navigating through the crowd due to severe traffic congestion around the Central Business District.
A 14-year-old Divyanshi among victims of Chinnaswamy stampede tragedy:
Divyanshi (14),a Class 9 student,was one of the victims who tragically lost her life in the stampede at Chinnaswamy Stadium.
She had come to the stadium in a cheerful mood along with her aunt and younger sister to see the players.
Divyanshi is the daughter of Shivakumar and Ashwini.
In the massive crowd rush,she was caught in the stampede and suffocated,leading to her death.
Her younger sister called a relative saying they were heading to the hospital,but Divyanshi succumbed to her injuries before they arrived.
A dental student and a female student from Ambedkar College also died in the incident,raising the death toll to 10.
RCB flags brought by fans were used in a desperate attempt to provide relief to the injured.Bystanders and fellow fans waved the flags to fan air and revive those who had collapsed due to suffocation during the stampede.
Bosch Techie named Sahana among stampede victims:
Sahana,a techie working at Bosch,was one of the victims who lost her life in the Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede.
She had travelled from Kolar to Bengaluru with a group of friends to attend the event.
13 individuals under treatment in Bowring hospital,DKS said while speaking to the media.
There was no proper planning or crowd management in place.The parade was organized at the last minute, with no clear plans confirmed until the end.
Although the police were aware of the growing crowd, especially from the rush at metro stations,no adequate measures were taken,according to eyewitness accounts.
People who are jubiliated in the morning turned to mourn in the evening as soon as the death toll surged.
People blamed the ruling Congress party for the mess who in order to take milage of the RCB victory boomranged them for causing disaster.
RCB Mourns tragedy:
A Official statement from Royal Challengers Bengaluru,We are deeply anguished by the unfortunate incidents that have come to light through media reports regarding public gatherings all over Bengaluru in anticipation of the team’s arrival this afternoon.The safety and well-being of everyone is of utmost importance to us.
RCB mourns the tragic loss of lives and extend our heartfelt condolences to the affected families.
Immediately upon being made aware of the situation,we promptly amended our program,and followed, the guidance and advice of the local administration.
We urge all our supporters to please stay safe.
