Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed profound shock over the deadly stampede that occurred during Royal Challengers Bengaluru's victory celebrations near Chinnaswamy Stadium, calling the tragedy "heartbreaking enough to overshadow the joy of victory."
In a social media post, CM said: "I am deeply anguished to learn about the loss of lives and serious injuries caused by the crowd surge. I pray for the departed souls and wish speedy recovery to those hospitalised. My heartfelt condolences to bereaved families."
In a press briefing earlier this evening, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah confirmed 11 fatalities, with 33 people having sustained injuries.
During the press briefing, he announced compensation of ₹10 lakh for the deceased. 'The government will provide free treatment to the injured,' he added.
The Chief Minister revealed authorities had anticipated potential crowd control challenges, which prompted the decision to cancel the planned victory procession as a precautionary measure. "Despite these precautions, the overwhelming sea of fans near the stadium led to an uncontrollable situation resulting in this tragic stampede," he explained.
Emphasising public safety, Siddaramaiah appealed to citizens, "While we understand the love and passion for sports, human life must remain paramount above all else. I urge everyone to prioritise safety in such gatherings."
The statement comes as authorities investigate the incident where massive crowds converging near the stadium reportedly caused fatal overcrowding, cutting short what should have been a historic celebration for RCB's maiden IPL title win. The government has pledged full support to affected families while reviewing safety protocols for future events.
