Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has issued a public apology following the tragic stampede at Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) victory parade. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday evening, resulted in the deaths of ten individuals and left several others injured.
In a statement to the press, DK Shivakumar expressed his condolences and took responsibility for the unfortunate event. He said, “I have no information about the deaths as of now. I was busy with the felicitation ceremony. There was an uncontrollable crowd throughout the way. I apologize to the people of Karnataka that a procession was cancelled due to massive crowds.”
Following the incident, the Bengaluru police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) to investigate the circumstances leading to the stampede. Authorities are examining the event’s planning and crowd management strategies to identify lapses and prevent future occurrences.
The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), which organized the felicitation ceremony, has also come under scrutiny. Officials are cooperating with the investigation and have pledged to implement more robust safety measures for future events.
The tragedy has sparked a broader conversation about public safety and event management in the state, with citizens and officials alike calling for stricter regulations and better preparedness to handle large gatherings.