‘Hundreds of thousands of people’ had flocked onto the streets, says Karnataka deputy CM
BENGALURU, JUL 4: A stampede broke out on Wednesday as a tightly packed crowd celebrated the victory of their home cricket team in the Indian city of Bengaluru, resulting in deaths, a senior government official said.
India media reported as many as 11 people had been crushed to death, but Karnataka state’s Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said he was not able to immediately confirm the exact number who had been killed.
“The tragedy and death have brought deep pain and shock”, Shivakumar said in a statement. “My condolences to the deceased. My condolences to their family.”
An AFP photographer saw vast crowds as a sea of people crammed the streets and police waved sticks.
Shivakumar said “hundreds of thousands of people” had flocked onto the streets.
“I have spoken to the police commissioner and everyone, I will also go to the hospital later — I do not want to disturb the doctors who are taking care of the patients”, he told reporters.
“The exact number cannot be told now. We appeal to the people to remain calm.”
Broadcasters showed police rushing away from crowds carrying young children in their arms, who had seemingly fainted.
One unattended young man was sitting in an ambulance, struggling to breathe.
India’s NDTV broadcaster said at least 11 people were killed, while The Times of India newspaper reported seven dead.
“This is not a controllable crowd,” Shivakumar said, speaking to reporters. “The police were finding it very difficult.”
