NEW DELHI: At least 11 people were killed and over 40 were injured after a stampede broke out outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Wednesday. Royal Challengers Bengaluru had planned their IPL 2025 victory celebrations but things got out of control shortly before the event was due to begin inside the stadium.
Around 5pm, multiple reports of injuries and deaths emerged from outside the stadium but the programme continued as planned. It is understood that Indian Premier League (IPL) Governing Council Chairman Arun Dhumal had to call up the franchise, who were unaware of the events which unfolded outside the venue. Dhumal was assured that the event will be wrapped up quickly inside the stadium but the damage was already done outside it.
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RCB issued an official statement expressing grief over the tragic incident.
"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."
In what was a clear case of poor planning, a lot of innocent lives were lost and panic gripped the city which was in the mood to celebrate RCB's maiden IPL title. TimesofIndia.com has reliably learnt that the event management company DNA was only asked to ensure the sound and stage arrangements inside the stadium.
Clearly there was a lack of preparedness and a sudden influx of people overwhelmed the security personnel stationed outside the cricket ground. Additionally, there was a lot of confusion regarding the team's open bus parade with the IPL title and the situation could have gotten much worse had it happened.
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Davajit Saikia termed the incident "unfortunate" and felt the organisers should have done better.
"It is very unfortunate. This is a negative side of popularity. People are crazy for their cricketers. The organisers should have planned it better. My deepest condolences to the family of the deceased. I wish early recovery of the injured," said Saikia in an interaction with PTI.
"When one organises a victory celebration of this magnitude, proper precautions, safety and security measures need to be taken. There have been some lapses somewhere. After such a glorious ending to the IPL, this has been an anti climax. There have been IPL celebrations in the past as well, like in Kolkata last year when KKR won but nothing happened there," he added.
There have been plenty of celebrations in the country in the past but did the authorities not get adequate time to be prepared for an event of this magnitude?
Could there have been a better way to go about this?
Who exactly is at fault? The event management company, the franchise, the government?
There are plenty of questions but no answers at the moment.