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On June 4, 2025, joy turned into horror as a stampede at the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) stadium in Bengaluru led to the deaths of 11 people and left 47 others injured. Triggered by an uncoordinated celebration for Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) IPL victory, the tragedy unfolded after RCB’s unilateral announcement of a victory parade without consulting authorities.
According to the NCRB’s report titled ‘Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India’, between 2001 and 2022, a total of 3,074 lives have been lost due to stampedes in India. Of these, 2,169 (70%) were men and 900 (30%) were women.
What is a Stampede?
1. As per NDMA’s “Managing Crowd at Events and Venues of Mass Gathering” Stampede is a sudden, uncontrolled rush or surge of a crowd, often leading to crushing, suffocation, or trampling, resulting in injuries or fatalities.
2. Stampedes are characterized by high crowd density or accelerated movements triggered by panic or excitement. They are man-made disasters typically occurring at places of mass gathering, such as religious sites, railway stations, or events, due to inadequate crowd management.
3. Process of a Stampede
Source- NDMA Disaster Guidelines
What are Some Notable Deadly Stampede Disasters in India?
| Allahabad Railway Stampede (2013) | Last-minute change in the platform for the pilgrims who had gathered for the Khumbh Mela, created panic and resulted in a stampede. It led to the loss of around 36 lives. |
| Mumbai pedestrian bridge Stampede (2017) | The stampede at the crowded Pedestrian Bridge connecting the two Mumbai railway stations resulted in the death of 22 people and injured 32. |
| Mata Vaishnav Devi shrine (2022) | The Stampede at the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine resulted in the death of 22 people and injured 32. |
| Hathras Stampede (2024) | During a religious gathering in Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras district on July 2, 2024, at least 121 people (almost all women) lost their lives. |
What are the major causes of Stampedes in India?
1. Human Factors: These are behavioral and psychological triggers that contribute to crowd mismanagement and chaos:
| Cause | Explanation |
| Panic or Fear | Sudden fear (e.g., of fire, explosion, or perceived threat) causes uncontrollable crowd movement. Example, Dabwali Fire Tragedy (1995). |
| Excitement or Euphoria | Intense enthusiasm (as during concerts, sports wins) may lead to irrational rushing. Example, Bengaluru RCB Parade (2025). |
| Impatience or Aggression | Frustration due to delays or lack of access leads to pushing and violence. Example, Sabarimala Stampede (1999) |
| Wild Rush Behavior | Inward/outward crowd clashes, often to grab freebies or exit quickly. Example, Elphinstone Footbridge Stampede (2017). |
| Panic from Rumors | Rumors like fire, earthquake, or landslide induce fear and uncontrolled stampedes. Example, Kumbh Mela Stampede (2003). |
2. Infrastructure Factors: These involve the physical design, condition, and capacity of the venue:
| Cause | Explanation |
| Overcrowding | Inadequate space relative to crowd size increases risk of trampling. Example, Uphaar Cinema Tragedy (1997). |
| Insufficient Facilities | Narrow walkways, blocked exits, or lack of barricades cause bottlenecks. Example, Sabarimala Tragedy (1999). |
| Adverse Conditions | Slippery floors, poor lighting, uneven or muddy terrain increase fall risk. Example, Sabarimala Tragedy (1999). |
| Structural Failures | Collapse of barricades, temporary bridges, or railings escalate crowd panic. Example, Sabarimala Tragedy (1999). |
| Fire/Electrical Failures | Short circuits, fires in enclosed spaces, or failure of extinguishers. Example, Sabarimala Tragedy (1999). |
| Unauthorized Constructions | Encroachments or illegal stalls reduce escape space and visibility. Example, Sabarimala Tragedy (1999). |
3. Organizational Factors: These relate to poor planning, management, and coordination between responsible agencies:
| Cause | Explanation |
| Inadequate Crowd Management | Lack of trained staff to regulate, guide, or intervene in real-time. Example, Hillsborough Disaster (1989). |
| Insufficient Planning | Poor venue design, no clear exit strategy, or failure to anticipate crowd. Example, Bengaluru RCB Parade (2025). |
| Failure in Communication | No real-time alerts, unclear instructions, or failed PA systems. Example, Kumbh Mela (2003). |
| Overestimation or Ticket Overselling | More attendees than capacity, creating dangerous densities. Example, Love Parade Stampede, Germany (2010). |
| Locked/Closed Exits | Exits inaccessible in emergencies or used as storage. Example, Uphaar Cinema Tragedy (1997). |
| Lack of Surveillance or Tech | Absence of CCTV, drones, or walkie-talkies to monitor crowd dynamics. Example, Hillsborough Disaster (1989) |
| Poor Inter-Agency Coordination | Miscommunication or delay between police, administration, and event organizers. Example, Kumbh Mela Stampede (2003). |
| Fatigued or Understaffed Police | Prior deployment or inadequate briefing leaves venues unguarded. Example, Bengaluru Parade (2025). |
| Use of Force or Panic Response | Misuse of lathis or tear gas may provoke chaos instead of control. Example, Jallianwala Bagh (Historical). |
What are the Impact of these Stampedes?
What are the NDMA Guidelines for the prevention of Stampedes in India?
NDMA has prepared ‘Suggestive Framework for Preparation of Crowd Management Plan for Events/Venues of Mass Gathering’. It provides a proactive, holistic approach to prevent and manage stampedes, emphasizing planning, preparedness, and response.
Source- NDMA Document
Before Stampede (Prevention and Preparedness):
- Planning and Capacity Building
- Understand Visitors and Stakeholders: Assess expected crowd (age, gender, motives) and stakeholder roles (e.g., police, NGOs) to tailor plans.
- Capacity Planning: Develop long-term infrastructure for religious sites, including staging points, multiple routes, and facilities (e.g., rest, water).
- Crowd Control Strategies: Manage demand-supply gaps by controlling inflow/outflow, using advance registration, and promoting off-peak visits.
- Stakeholder Coordination: Establish a Unified Control System for seamless agency collaboration.
- Risk Analysis and Preparedness:
- Identify Threats: Use historical data and local knowledge to pinpoint risks (e.g., structural failures, overcrowding).
- Risk Assessment: Conduct Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) to prioritize hazards based on severity, frequency, and detection difficulty.
- Rapid Venue Assessment (RVA): Perform quick audits using 20 yes/no questions to evaluate crowd management practices.
- Develop Action Plans: Define actions, responsibilities, timelines, and resources for each threat, considering vulnerable groups.
- Information Management: Provide clear signage, public address systems, and media campaigns to inform visitors about routes, rules, and emergency procedures. Disseminate real-time crowd strength and wait times to manage expectations.
- Safety and Security Measures: Ensure structural safety (e.g., stable barricades, emergency exits) and fire/electrical compliance. Deploy adequate, trained security personnel with CCTV, observation towers, and communication systems. Use barriers strategically to regulate crowd flow.
- Facilities and Emergency Medical Services: Provide accessible medical facilities, ambulances, and trained staff. Plan for water, sanitation, and food to reduce crowd agitation.
- Transportation and Traffic Management: Regulate vehicle access, parking, and shuttle services to prevent congestion. Develop emergency transportation plans for evacuation.
- Capacity Building: Train stakeholders (organizers, police, volunteers) on crowd management, first aid, and Incident Response System (IRS). Conduct regular drills, tabletop exercises, and full-scale simulations (Section 8.2).
- Legal Compliance: Adhere to laws like the Disaster Management Act (2005) and local regulations (e.g., UP Melas Act, 1938). Obtain necessary licenses and approvals for events.
After Stampede (Response and Recovery):
- Incident Response System (IRS): Activate IRS with a control room and Incident Commander (IC) to coordinate response. Establish Emergency Operations Centres (EOCs) and Incident Command Posts (ICPs) for real-time management. Deploy police, medical teams, and volunteers for rescue and relief.
- Emergency Medical Services: Provide immediate first aid and triage at the venue. Transport victims to hospitals using pre-planned ambulance routes.
- Media Management: Disseminate factual, timely information to prevent rumors. Avoid sensationalism and respect victim privacy.
- Relief and Rehabilitation: Distribute relief supplies (food, shelter) equitably, avoiding rushes. Support psychological recovery through counseling, as implied by addressing societal agony.
- Post-Incident Review: Conduct inquiries to identify causes, as seen in past tragedies. Revise crowd management plans based on lessons learned, updating after major incidents or annually.
- Legal Action: Hold negligent parties accountable, as in Uphaar and Dabwali cases, where courts imposed joint liability.
What are the Challenges in Managing Stampede?
NDMA’s Managing Crowd at Events and Venues of Mass Gathering highlighted following:
- Structural Limitations: Religious sites in difficult terrains with narrow, slippery paths and encroachments by vendors exacerbate crowd risks. Inadequate infrastructure like weak barricades multiplies dangers during mass gatherings. Example: Wai Satara stampede due to terrain bottlenecks.
- Overcrowding and Demand-Supply Gap: Attendance exceeding venue capacity, especially during peak times, creates chaos. Cultural or religious sensitivities make restricting entries challenging, worsening crowd management efforts. Example: Bengaluru Stampede 2025 exceeded stadium capacity.
- Crowd Behavior: Unruly actions like pushing or rushing for freebies, combined with rumors, escalate chaos. Individuals often follow miscreants, amplifying disorder in crowded environments. Example: Kumbh Mela crowd panic triggered stampede.
- Inadequate Security and Coordination: Insufficient deployment of poorly briefed security personnel and coordination gaps between police and local authorities hinder swift responses and crowd control. Example: Kumbh Mela lacked police-administration coordination.
- Fire and Electrical Hazards: Non-compliance with fire safety norms in makeshift venues and illegal electrical setups spark panic. Dysfunctional extinguishers worsen rescue operations during emergencies.
Example: Dabwali tragedy caused panic by fire. - Poor Planning and Implementation: Inadequate infrastructure development for high-traffic sites and underestimating crowd sizes lead to failed management and unregulated entry at peak times. Example: Wai, Satara mishap due to weak planning.
- Communication Failures: Ineffective public address systems and delayed or inaccurate information dissemination amplify panic. Rumors spread faster than official responses, intensifying crises. Example: Panic spread rumors worsened Kumbh stampede.
- Resource Constraints: Limited funding for infrastructure upgrades, inadequate medical facilities, and untrained emergency personnel reduce response efficiency and escalate fatalities during stampedes. Example: Lack of ambulances worsened Dabwali response.
- Legal and Regulatory Gaps: Temporary permits issued without thorough checks and lax enforcement of safety regulations delay accountability and breed conditions for disasters. Example: Non-compliance cited in Uphaar cinema tragedy.
- Lack of Public Awareness: Visitors unfamiliar with emergency protocols or safety measures are more vulnerable during crises, leading to increased casualties and chaos. Example: Public unaware of exits in Uphaar tragedy.
What Should be the Way Forward?
- CrowdSense Analytics: Deploy AI-driven crowd behavior analytics that use heat maps, sensors, and drone surveillance to detect dangerous crowd densities, bottlenecks, or abnormal movement patterns in real time, allowing early interventions before panic escalates. Example: Kumbh Mela 2024 drone surveillance success.
- GeoAlert Systems: Integrate geo-fencing with mobile alert systems to send instant updates, entry instructions, or emergency evacuation messages to people within a specific area, preventing chaos through timely digital communication. Example: Delhi protests 2020 geo-fencing effectiveness.
- Timed Access Protocol: Implement digital passes with time-slot allocation to regulate entry into venues, especially religious or sports events. QR codes, face recognition, and real-time scanning reduce gate congestion. Example: Jagannath Yatra used timed entry passes.
- Simulation Crowd Modelling: Use computer simulations to predict crowd dynamics in different layouts, scenarios, or terrain conditions. This helps event planners create safer infrastructure and escape routes. Example: London Olympics 2012 crowd simulations used.
- Festive Zoning: Encourage decentralized celebrations across multiple zones instead of concentrating crowds in one location. Parallel sites reduce pressure and improve crowd dispersion management. Example: Mumbai Ganesh Visarjan created immersion zones.
- Civil Marshal Force: Train citizen volunteers as crowd marshals for high-attendance events. These local guides assist with directing foot traffic, calming panic, and providing first-level response. Example: Tokyo Marathon uses 10,000+ volunteers.
- InfraSafe Audits: Mandate safety audits of all venues before public gatherings, checking exits, signage, lighting, terrain, and encroachments. Structural compliance reduces physical risk factors. Example: IIT-Bombay audited Mumbai railway stations.
- Event Licensing Reform: Link event approvals to safety protocols like police clearance, emergency response plans, and crowd control training. Penalise unlicensed or unsafe mass events. Example: Madurai Chithirai festival requires prior NOC.
Conclusion:
The Bengaluru stadium stampede was not just a tragedy — it was a symptom of a larger governance failure. As former NDMA Vice-Chairman M. Shashidhar Reddy once remarked, “Disasters don’t just happen; they are allowed to happen.” Until accountability is enforced and systemic corrections made, such “celebration catastrophes” will continue to repeat.
| Read More: The Hindu UPSC GS-3: Disaster Management |
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