Eleven Die In Bengaluru Stampede As Fans Gather For IPL Victory Parade

Eleven people have been killed and dozens injured in a crush outside a cricket stadium in Bengaluru, which was hosting a victory parade to celebrate the home team’s Indian Premier League win, the state’s chief minister said.

Thousands of people had lined the streets on Wednesday to welcome the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) who beat the Punjab Kings in the IPL cricket final the day before.

Karnataka state Chief Minister Siddaramaiah told reporters that authorities had not expected the number of people who had turned out.

When the tragedy struck, the gates of the stadium “were not even opened, but there were so many people trying to push through a small gate that the stampede took place”, an official said.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the “mishap in Bengaluru is heartrending” adding that his “thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones”.

Metro trains were so packed that several people were not able to enter any compartment. All this while passengers inside the train and outside chanted the team’s name in chorus.

Auto rickshaws and taxis did not respond to requests from people who wanted to be dropped anywhere near the stadium. Those who agreed dropped commuters several kilometres away.

After reports of people losing their lives in the crush spread, people started rushing away to metro stations.

Authorities shut down the stations around the stadium as huge crowds had gathered on the platforms.