The disaster unfolded as fans packed the streets in large numbers to greet the newly-crowned IPL champions, who had returned victorious after a thrilling win over Punjab Kings in Tuesday night’s final. However, the atmosphere of celebration quickly descended into chaos, with endless crowds jostling for space and police attempting to control the mob using batons.
Television footage captured harrowing moments of emergency responders rushing young children, who had seemingly collapsed, away from the crowd. One unconscious man was seen inside an ambulance, visibly struggling to breathe. Despite the unfolding tragedy, the official celebration event at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium continued. The RCB team’s social media accounts shared upbeat videos of the players, including Virat Kohli, waving to ecstatic fans from the team bus. "This welcome is what pure love looks like," read a post on X (formerly Twitter)
On August 16, 1980, Kolkata football derby between arch rivals Mohun Bagan and East Bengal that took place at the Eden Gardens (there was no Salt Lake Stadium then) witnessed a massive clash between the supporters of two teams, leading to 16 deaths. (Photo: @SuperpowerFb/X)
It was Eden Garden in 1980 and Garden City on Wednesday, that witnessed tragedy. And both could have been avoided. On that fateful August afternoon at the Eden Gardens, more than 70,000 spectators had thronged the galleries and Mohun Bagan's speedy right winger Bidesh Basu was felled by East Bengal's side back Dilip Palit, who was notorious for his rough tackling. (Photo: @sattyikspeaks/@SuperpowerFb/X)
A haunting black-and-white photograph captures fans clinging to the second tier of Eden Gardens, desperately trying to escape the crushing stampede, an image that continues to haunt the families affected by the tragedy. Sixteen devoted fans, aged between 18 and 60, who had left their homes that afternoon filled with boundless excitement and joy, never returned alive. Their lifeless bodies were carried home in matadors, as hearse vans were not used during that era. Today, the day is solemnly remembered as ‘Football Lovers’ Day’ in Kolkata, but law and order had completely broken down, leaving no trace of happiness in what is famously known as the ‘City of Joy’. (Photo: Sonay Lekha Itihashe Mohun Bagan by Subir Mukherjee)
(With PTI inputs)
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