<p>Bengaluru: Following the tragic stampede at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, most of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) members remained tight-lipped, with staff claiming they were told not to speak to the media.</p>.<p>Speaking anonymously to <em>DH</em>, a senior KSCA member highlighted severe lapses in medical preparedness.</p>.<p>“There are usually medical and paramedical teams for each of the stadium’s 20-21 stands on major match days. But on Wednesday, the main Medical Command Centre at the main gate was poorly equipped,” he said.</p>.<p>As several unconscious people began to arrive, the medical team struggled.</p>.<p>“They could handle only one or two cases at a time. If there were more trained medical teams, lives could have been saved. Most were not trained for large crowd emergencies. With only two ambulances, many unconscious fans had to be carried on shoulders,” the member added. </p>.In Pics | Grief, anguish after Bengaluru RCB victory event stampede .<p>Another senior KSCA member pointed to outdated infrastructure.</p>.<p>“Despite minor renovations and cosmetic changes for the 2023 ICC World Cup, crucial entry and exit points remain narrow and unfit for the smooth flow of large crowds”, he said.</p>.<p>A long-time security guard stationed at the stadium’s gates described the scene of chaos.</p>.<p>“I have worked here for over a decade. I have seen packed matches, but nothing like this. Children and women were screaming for help. I could not do anything,” he said, visibly shaken. </p>.<p>He and other private security guards hired for the event were stationed near the gate and were outnumbered as desperate fans began scaling the compound in an attempt to enter the stadium.</p>.<p>The incident has raised serious questions about emergency response protocols, crowd management and infrastructure readiness at one of India’s premier cricketing venues.</p>
<p>Bengaluru: Following the tragic stampede at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, most of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) members remained tight-lipped, with staff claiming they were told not to speak to the media.</p>.<p>Speaking anonymously to <em>DH</em>, a senior KSCA member highlighted severe lapses in medical preparedness.</p>.<p>“There are usually medical and paramedical teams for each of the stadium’s 20-21 stands on major match days. But on Wednesday, the main Medical Command Centre at the main gate was poorly equipped,” he said.</p>.<p>As several unconscious people began to arrive, the medical team struggled.</p>.<p>“They could handle only one or two cases at a time. If there were more trained medical teams, lives could have been saved. Most were not trained for large crowd emergencies. With only two ambulances, many unconscious fans had to be carried on shoulders,” the member added. </p>.In Pics | Grief, anguish after Bengaluru RCB victory event stampede .<p>Another senior KSCA member pointed to outdated infrastructure.</p>.<p>“Despite minor renovations and cosmetic changes for the 2023 ICC World Cup, crucial entry and exit points remain narrow and unfit for the smooth flow of large crowds”, he said.</p>.<p>A long-time security guard stationed at the stadium’s gates described the scene of chaos.</p>.<p>“I have worked here for over a decade. I have seen packed matches, but nothing like this. Children and women were screaming for help. I could not do anything,” he said, visibly shaken. </p>.<p>He and other private security guards hired for the event were stationed near the gate and were outnumbered as desperate fans began scaling the compound in an attempt to enter the stadium.</p>.<p>The incident has raised serious questions about emergency response protocols, crowd management and infrastructure readiness at one of India’s premier cricketing venues.</p>