BENGALURU, India — A tragic stampede outside a cricket stadium in Bengaluru has left at least 11 people dead and more than 30 injured. The incident occurred on Wednesday as a massive crowd gathered to celebrate the Indian Premier League (IPL) victory of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium was the focal point of excitement, drawing tens of thousands of fans eager to join the festivities.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah reported that the chaos erupted when fans attempted to force their way through one of the stadium's gates. “At a time of celebration, this unfortunate event should not have happened. We are saddened by this,” he stated, emphasizing the unexpected size of the crowd. He confirmed that 11 individuals lost their lives, while 33 others sustained injuries, most of whom are currently stable and receiving medical care.

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru had offered free passes to fans through their website, encouraging attendance while urging compliance with safety guidelines set by local authorities. Despite these efforts, the overwhelming turnout led to a dangerous situation.

Local television footage captured the aftermath, showing emergency personnel tending to victims and transporting them to ambulances, while celebrations continued inside the stadium. D.K. Shivakumar, Karnataka's deputy chief minister, described the scene, stating, “the crowd was very uncontrollable.”

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which oversees the IPL, expressed its sorrow over the incident, labeling it as “unfortunate.” BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia remarked, “This is a negative side of popularity. People are crazy for their cricketers. The organizers should have planned it better.”

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also weighed in, calling the event “heartrending” and extending his condolences to those who lost loved ones.

Stampedes are not uncommon in India, particularly during large gatherings. Earlier this year, a similar tragedy occurred during the Maha Kumbh festival, resulting in the deaths of at least 30 people as crowds rushed to bathe in a sacred river.