There is nothing like the moment your team lifts the curse of winning, and that is exactly how RCB would have felt when they won their first IPL title. The good people of Bengaluru were just about ready to burst with excitement and celebration. But then the moment turned to joy, to chaos, to injuries, and lives changed forever. A stark reminder that planning is important and that safety cannot be an afterthought, no matter the type of success.
Why Did It Get So Out of Control?
Chinnaswamy Stadium holds approximately 35,000 people, yet on that day, there were close to 100,000 fans. So, how did that happen? Signals failed, emotions surged—and control slipped through the cracks. With all the hype around a trophy parade for Kohli and Patidar, and free entry, it was a perfect storm for a crowd. From jubilation to devastation, the celebration spiraled into a somber aftermath.
The problem? Complete security at the point of entry. The fans and other spectators with their “free passes” had no idea where to enter the venue, and the police were also busy with that. The streets around the ground, particularly Queen’s Road, were chock-a-block. There were simply too many spectators arriving all at once for the system to cope. Not only that, an unforeseen rain shower soaked the crowd at the wrong moment, just what was required to send it into panic and confusion. People getting jostled and pushed and trapped found bottlenecks all leading to a potentially fatal crush, resulting in injuries and deaths.
What Went Wrong with Crowd Management?
The rush may have started with the crowd, but the cracks were already there. But as soon as I heard about the plans for the event, I thought it sounded awful from the start. The police weren’t going to allow the victory parade, but they then granted it. There were mixed messages to all involved. When officials don’t coordinate to provide one clear message to the crowd, the crowd’s energy will shift into a chaotic, unpredictable entity that cannot be controlled.
Medical support was another significant concern. Ambulances could not reach the injured people because the streets were full of people. Friends and family of unconscious victims had to carry their loved ones through the crowd themselves, attempting to get to the hospital on foot. Not providing emergency access is a gross oversight in planning an event, especially one that is expected to attract tens of thousands of attendees.
How Can We Celebrate Without Losing Control?
Athletic victories should be a moment to bond, uplift, and inspire. Instead, a city should not be haunted by sorrow. So, what can be done? First, communication is key. Organizers need to set expectations early on, make decisions about entry points, and control the crowd size with ticketing and/or barriers. Got to provide free entry? Fine, but limits must be enforced and managed, not sacrificed for safety.
Above all else, plans for emergency security must be well thought out. At all events, regardless of size, there needs to be established ambulance routes, first aid station locations, and a police presence. Finally, it is important to have a collaborative plan with all stakeholders. The end goal should be that they all understand their roles to ensure that celebrations remain celebrations and do not become tragedies.
What do you think, and how do you think cities could also facilitate these large celebrations and keep crowds safe? Please give your thoughts, and let’s create a discussion on how we could have cricket moments that celebrate (for once), for all the right reasons.
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