Eleven killed in cricket crush to welcome IPL winners

In what should have been a scene of absolute joy, a terrible tragedy unfolded which caused eleven cricket fans to lose their lives and dozens more to be injured. 

An estimated 300,000 people had lined the streets on the approach to and around the Chinnaswamy Stadium of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to welcome their heroes home, after they beat the Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL) final.

The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) had organised a special ceremony inside the stadium for the RCB squad, following their victory, but a stampede developed causing a devastating crush.

It seems that the main gates of the stadium had not been opened, so the vast crowd were attempting to gain entry through a single much smaller gate.

Eyewitnesses have been telling how fans were scaling stadium walls and fences in sheer desperation to catch a glimpse of the players, including Indian legend Virat Kohli who had top scored in the match.

Buoyant winning team given special treatment

A special flight had been arranged to bring the RCB team back to Bengaluru, from where they were taken in a procession to a hotel gathering. From there the squad were given 5-star treatment, as they arrived at the majestic Vidhana Soudha, seat of the state legislature.

It was from here that the players were then driven to the stadium, past cheering and waving fans. Images captured devoted supporters climbing trees for a better view. 

Pilgrimage to the ground

Prior to the incident there were throngs of people from every side of the city, all headed towards the stadium, using every conceivable mode of transport to get there. 

Metro trains got so packed that many failed to even enter a compartment, as a frenzy built up with the team’s name chanted relentlessly.

As roads and walkways become more and more packed, rickshaws and taxis began dropping customers further and further away from the desired destination, unable to negotiate the crowded environment.

The team had given away free passes for the event through its website, but this was not done in any coordinated manner and was a recipe for chaotic scenes.

Deaths were almost inevitable as planning poorly executed

The almost inevitable crush ensued, with sadly eleven people being killed and at least 47 more suffering various injuries. 

Officials admitted that the sheer weight of numbers who chose to attend had caught them by surprise. The stadium has a capacity of only 35,000, but an enormous two to three hundred thousand had turned up. Soon afterwards, the mood of celebration quickly turned to one of panic and horror. 

“Life most valuable” 

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the “mishap in Bengaluru is heart-rending” before adding that his thoughts were with everyone who had lost loved ones in the incident. 

Deputy CM DK Shivakumar expressed his shock, sending his condolences and sympathies to the families, who he acknowledged must have been feeling “deep sorrow and shock”. He sent his love to the team, but felt the need to add: “but nothing is more valuable than life.” 

The worst possible memories

The tragic event meant polar opposites in emotions occurred in less than 24-hours. The final had been a fabulous spectacle, as it swung one way then another throughout a tight contest, with RCB holding on for a 6-run win.

They had come close several times in the past to winning the IPL, so to be triumphant eventually at the 18th time of asking would have been very special for everyone connected with the club. 

The squad would undoubtedly have been looking forward to making the parade and showing off the trophy a really memorable occasion filled with wonderful celebrations, but sadly they got an unforgettable memory for all the wrong reasons.