**Tragic Stampede in Bengaluru Claims Lives During IPL Celebration**
A tragic stampede occurred outside M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru during the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) IPL victory celebrations, resulting in the deaths of 11 individuals and injuring nearly 50 others. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah addressed the media on Thursday, expressing his condolences while clarifying that he would not defend the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Siddaramaiah noted that stampedes are not uncommon, referencing a similar incident at the Kumbh Mela earlier this year. However, he emphasized that he was not justifying the events that transpired in Bengaluru. “Many stampedes have occurred, but I’m not defending… I’m saying a stampede happened in Kumbh Mela. I’m not defending this,” he stated.
The Chief Minister highlighted that the event was organized by the Karnataka State Cricket Association, not the state government, although police support was provided for security. “The government only granted permission and deployed the entire Bengaluru police force for security. We did not host the event in the stadium,” he explained.
Siddaramaiah further elaborated on the crowd dynamics, noting that while over 100,000 people gathered in front of Vidhan Soudha without incident, the stadium, which has a capacity of 35,000, saw an unexpected turnout of approximately 200,000 to 300,000 attendees. “This was entirely unexpected,” he remarked.
Regarding the injuries, the Chief Minister confirmed that many of the 47 injured individuals sustained only minor injuries and were not hospitalized. “All the injured are out of danger,” he assured.
Preliminary reports indicate that a temporary slab covering a drain near the stadium collapsed under the weight of the crowd, leading to panic and the subsequent stampede. The incident has raised concerns about crowd management and safety protocols at large events.
As investigations continue, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of attendees at future gatherings to prevent such tragedies from occurring again.
**FAQ**
**What caused the stampede during the IPL celebration in Bengaluru?**
The stampede was triggered by the collapse of a temporary slab over a drain near the stadium, which caused panic among the large crowd gathered for the event.
