The Karnataka government has announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh each for the families of those who died in the stampede near the Chinnaswamy Stadium during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL victory celebrations on Wednesday. Addressing a press conference, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the government will also provide free treatment to those injured in the incident.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah
“A major tragedy occurred during the victory celebrations near Chinnaswamy Stadium. The government has announced a compensation of R10 lakh for the families of the deceased and will provide free medical treatment to the injured,” the CM stated. Siddaramaiah added, “Eleven people died and 33 were injured in the stampede. This tragedy should not have happened. The government expresses its deepest condolences.”
Inquiry ordered
A car is damaged as fans climb over it outside the stadium yesterday. Pic/AFP
The chief minister also announced a magisterial inquiry into the incident. “I don`t want to defend this tragedy. Our government will not politicise it. I’ve ordered a magisterial inquiry and given 15 days’ time for a report. People even broke the stadium gates. No one expected such a massive crowd. The stadium has a capacity of 35,000, but nearly 2–3 lakh people turned up,” Siddaramaiah said.
Modi condoles deaths
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the incident, calling it “absolutely heartrending” on Wednesday. In a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, Modi said: “The mishap in Bengaluru is absolutely heartrending. In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones. I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured.”
Improve safety: Kharge
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also expressed his condolences on X, describing the incident as profoundly distressing on Wednesday. “I am deeply saddened by the tragic stampede in Bengaluru. The loss of lives and the injuries are deeply distressing. My thoughts and prayers are with the affected families. I wish the injured a speedy recovery,” he said. Kharge urged the authorities to immediately review and strengthen safety protocols to avoid such tragedies in future. He added that the Congress party stands in solidarity with the people of Bengaluru and supports all efforts to provide relief and assistance to the affected families.
BJP wants resignations
BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla demanded the resignations of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, and the state Home Minister on Wednesday. He also criticised the state government for continuing the celebrations despite the tragedy, calling it “insensitive” and “irresponsible.”
RCB statement
An injured man at the Bowring hospital, yesterday. Pic/PTI
We are deeply anguished by the unfortunate incidents that have come to light regarding public gatherings all over Bengaluru in anticipation of the team’s arrival. The safety and well-being of everyone is of utmost importance to us. RCB mourns the tragic loss of lives and we extend our heartfelt condolences to the affected families. Immediately upon being made aware of the situation, we amended our programme, and followed, the guidance and advice of the local administration.
Crowd broke gates: DK Shivakumar
Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Wednesday said that the crowd broke the gates and there was a stampede-like situation near the Chinnaswamy Stadium, where a large number of people had gathered to participate in the RCB victory celebrations.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar talking to the media following the stampede. Pic/PTI
“There was a huge crowd. We saw it from the airport itself, so we decided to cancel the procession and brought them (the team) in a closed vehicle. There was a request to hold a procession at least from Vidhana Soudha. But due to the rain, the crowd became uncontrollable, so we cancelled that procession too,” Shivakumar said. “Even at the stadium, there were arrangements for a one-hour programme. We instructed that it be concluded within 10–15 minutes, and it was done accordingly,” he added.
This was not a BCCI event, says IPL chairman Dhumal
IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal said that as soon as he was informed about the tragedy unfolding outside the stadium, he instructed the organisers to wrap up the proceedings. “Whatever inquiry needs to be conducted, the authorities concerned will carry it out. It was not a BCCI event. It is sad and tragic. The celebrations turned into a tragedy. Our heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones,” Dhumal told PTI.
IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal. File pic
“I am not even aware whether it was a planned event or an unplanned one. Whether fans were supposed to come, or they came on their own. When I spoke to the RCB officials, there was so much noise inside the stadium that they probably didn’t know what was happening outside. When I informed them, they assured me they would wind up the event immediately.” “We even curtailed a game in Dharamsala (during the IPL), ensuring that everyone was evacuated safely. Not a single person was hurt there,” he added.
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