Inconsolable grief, anguished cries in hospital corridors

Black Wednesday: Chilling end to RCB cheer rally; sorrow spills into hospital corridors

Bengaluru: "Yelu chinna? Appa bandidare ba maga?” (Wake up dear. Father has come), cried the mother of Bhumik outside the emergency ward of Vydehi Superspeciality Hospital, where the body of her 20-year-old son lay.

Overcome with grief, she collapsed, inconsolable.

Bhumik, a second-year engineering student at the Bangalore Institute of Technology and a resident of 8th Mile, Dasarahalli, was one of 11 victims of the stampede at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday evening. What should have been a celebration of the Royal Challengers Bangalore’s maiden IPL title turned into a nightmare for several families.

"God gave me everything. Now what do I do without my son? How do I return to an empty home? He was everything to us. I fed him with my own hands for 20 years,” said Lakshman, Bhumik’s father, his voice quivering. Suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure, he pleaded with hospital staff to release his son's body as officials sought more time for formalities.

Also among the dead was 25-year-old Sahana, a software engineer from Kolar working for a German-based company in Bengaluru. She was separated from her friends during the crowd surge. While some managed minor injuries, others escaped unharmed.

Purnachand (32), a civil engineer whose family had just finalised his engagement, was one of four brought dead to Vydehi. His parents arrived from Mandya, shattered. The identity of another male victim, in his early 30s, remained unknown at the time of filing this report.

At least 30 people were treated at Bowring, Lady Curzon, and Vydehi Hospitals for injuries — mostly leg fractures and breathing difficulties from the crush. Some were moved to other nearby facilities.

Vydehi Superspeciality Hospital (VSH) on Vittal Mallya Road received 16 patients, including four dead — three men and one woman. “In most cases, suffocation appears to be the cause of death,” said Dr Humera, Medical Administrator.

A child among the lost

At Bowring Hospital, the tragedy struck just as deep. Among six dead was 13-year-old Divyanshi from Yelahanka Old Town. She had come with her mother, aunt, and relatives to witness the RCB's historic moment, but was declared dead at 4.38 pm as anguished cries echoed through the hospital corridors.

Others who died there included 29-year-old dentist Devi, Shravan KT (20), a dental student, 27-year-old Akshatha, 33-year-old Manoj, and 17-year-old Shivling. 

Of the 18 injured at Bowring, aged 14 to 30, eight were treated as outpatients, while 10 were admitted. Three suffered fractures, the rest sustained minor injuries.

The death of 18-year-old Chinmayi was later reported from Manipal Hospitals, Millers Road.

Outside Bowring, Vasuki anxiously waited for news of her 21-year-old son, Venu. “His friend called us. Thankfully, it is just a leg injury. He had gone to see the celebration,” she said.

The uncontrolled crowd also blocked at least two ambulances headed to hospitals, leaving them stranded. Barricades collapsed, and hundreds of footwears lay scattered outside the gates.