RCB's victory celebrations in Bengaluru turn fatal as multiple deaths reported

Overcrowding and a stampede-like situation resulted in multiple deaths of people that had thronged around the M Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru on Wednesday (June 4). A large number of people had turned out to see the Royal Challengers Bengaluru who were being felicitated by the Chief Minister of Karnataka, following which they went to the M Chinnaswamy Stadium for a ceremony in front of fans.

Until one hour before the felicitation ceremony, there had been no clarity regarding the arrangements made for the celebrations. While RCB had put out there would be a parade on social media, the Bengaluru Traffic Police had contradicted that with a statement saying No Parade would be there. It is understood that the event organisers had been working with the local police to try and arrange facilities until about an hour before the programme started. But given the short notice and turnaround time, the situation soon turned out to be beyond control.

News Agency ANI posted videos of people scaling the walls of the stadium even as there were pleas from the police for cooperation. Other videos also showed police resorting to mild lathi charge in an attempt to control the overflowing crowd.

The Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, DK Shivakumar, told mediapersons that he was apologizing to the people of Karnataka for the overcrowding. He confirmed that six people were dead in Bowring Hospital while a doctor from Vydehi Hospital, told mediapersons that four persons were brought dead to their hospital. A total of eleven deaths were eventually confirmed.

Chaos also descended near Vidhana Soudha. Thousands flocked the roads opposite as early as 3:45 PM and got on top of walls and landings nearby in anticipation of the team's arrival there around 5 PM to meet the CM.