Stampede near Gate 2 of the M Chinnaswamy Stadium has resulted in the death of 11 people. (Photos: AP)
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) fans had waited 18 long years for this. And when RCB finally lifted their maiden IPL trophy on June 3, after a nail-biting six-run victory over Punjab Kings, the celebrations were expectedly massive. But things took a tragic turn during the team’s homecoming event at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
A crowd surge, reportedly sparked by a tweet promising free entry, led to a deadly stampede that killed 11 fans and injured 33 others. What was meant to be a city’s proudest sporting moment quickly unravelled into a disaster that no one saw coming but many experts believe could have been prevented.
So, in light of the chaos that followed the celebration, here is a practical guide on how not to get trampled to death when there is a stampede.
1. Assess the Crowd and Know Your Exits
Before entering into a crowd, do a quick survey. Are the exits visible and accessible? Is there more crowd than the venue can handle? Are people getting pushy before the event even begins? According to crowd control experts, early warning signs of congestion, like barricade hopping or aggressive queue-cutting, should be your hint to step back and reassess.
2. Stay on the Periphery, Not in the Centre
The centre of any mass gathering is where chaos concentrates. Stick to the outer rim of the crowd where there is breathing space and a clearer path to exits. It is definitely safer.
3. Keep Your Hands Free and Protect Your Chest
When the crowd starts swaying or pushing, resist the urge to use brute force. Instead, lift your hands to your chest in a defensive boxer's stance to protect your lungs and ribs. Drop your phone or popcorn if needed; it is better to lose your selfie than your breath.
4. Move With the Crowd, Not Against It
If you are caught in a moving wave of people, do not resist the direction. Move diagonally with the crowd to reach the edges. Experts compare this to swimming sideways in a rip current; it takes less effort and improves your odds of escape.
5. If You Fall, Curl Up and Cover Your Head
If you trip, do not panic. Curl into a ball with your hands over your head to protect your skull and make yourself a smaller target for trampling. Try to get back up during brief lulls in movement, but until then, stay low and shielded.
6. Help Only If It is Safe to Do So
Helping others is noble, but only if it does not put you in danger. Yanking someone upright in a stampede might pull you down too. Prioritise safe space, then extend a hand.
7. Wear Practical Clothes and Secure Footwear
Go for closed-toe shoes, comfy clothes, and minimal accessories.
