Chinnaswamy Stadium Stampede: What triggered the deadly chaos at RCB’s victory celebration in Bengaluru?

The celebrations after RCB took a heart-breaking turn when a deadly stampede near the M Chinnaswamy Stadium left at least two fans dead and over 25 others injured or sick. Two of the injured remain in critical condition in ICU, police confirmed.

Police used mild force to control the crowd and bring the situation under control ahead of a special felicitation at the stadium for the RCB team organised by the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA). According to eye-witnesses, a stampede-like situation emerged as fans thronged the venue of felicitation. Visuals showed police shifting the injured persons and those who fell unconscious in ambulances to nearby hospitals.

What led to the stampede?
The stampede took place when thousands of fans attempted to enter the stadium in a hurry from various gates. Police at the scene transported the injured to ambulances and shifted them to the nearby Bowring Hospital. Police stated that the ambulances were unable to move quickly to the hospital due to the overcrowding on the roads.

The situation rapidly escalated when fans began rushing towards the stadium gates. Several were reportedly injured in the rush, with visuals showing scenes of people fainting and being trampled as police tried to resort to lathi charge.

In a separate incident, one fan, while climbing a gate to jump into the stadium, fell and broke his leg.

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Despite the presence of numerous police personnel, they are struggling to control the massive crowd. People are seen climbing trees and sitting on branches to catch a glimpse of the celebration. More details regarding the incident are yet to emerge.

Police use lathi charge to control the crowd:
Police used mild force to control the crowd and bring the situation under control ahead of a special felicitation at the stadium for the RCB team organised by the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA). According to eye-witnesses, a stampede-like situation emerged as fans thronged the venue of felicitation. Visuals showed police shifting the injured persons and those who fell unconscious in ambulances to nearby hospitals.

Fan falls while climbing gate, breaks leg
In a separate incident, a fan attempting to scale a gate to enter the stadium fell and sustained a leg fracture. Several others were seen climbing trees and hanging from branches to get a glimpse of the players.

Though a large police contingent had been deployed, officers struggled to control the overwhelming crowd.

Anticipating massive crowds, the Karnataka government had earlier cancelled an open bus victory parade from Vidhana Soudha to Chinnaswamy Stadium, citing security concerns, a warning that proved prescient.