11 people have been killed and dozens injured in a crush outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, India, which was hosting a victory parade to celebrate the home team’s Indian Premier League win.
BBC News says that 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.
They say Karnataka state Chief Minister Siddaramaiah revealed that authorities had not expected the number of people who turned out, and a moment of joy has been overshadowed by sorrow.
BBC News adds that one police official revealed more than 200,000 people came out for the victory parade, but they had anticipated only half that number.
They say that when the tragedy struck, the gates of the stadium had not even been opened, but there were so many people trying to push through a small gate that the stampede took place.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the mishap in Bengaluru as heartrending, adding that his thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones.
BBC News reports that prior to the incident, masses of people from different parts of the city had moved towards the stadium by all modes of transport, wearing RCB jerseys.
Metro trains were so packed that several people were unable to enter any compartment, while passengers inside the trains and those outside chanted the team’s name in unison.
They say that after reports of people losing their lives in the crush spread, crowds began rushing towards metro stations, and authorities shut down the stations around the stadium.
Source: BBC News
