‘Two died before my eyes’: Chilling eyewitness account opens debate on stampede tragedy
Bengaluru: As Karnataka celebrated Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s first IPL victory in 18 years, a joyous occasion turned into tragedy when a stampede broke out at the celebratory event organised at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, claiming at least 11 lives and leaving several injured.
Thousands of fans had gathered at the venue to cheer the team, but overcrowding and poor crowd management led to a deadly rush. Among the victims were fans from both Karnataka and other states.
Speaking to Vartha Bharati, Chetan from Mysuru, who survived the incident, said, “Two people died right in front of me. Women were in great distress. Someone stepped over my shoulder – it felt like a near-death experience. There was no police or stadium staff to help us.”
Chinmay from Nanjangud said the incident occurred around 3:30 pm. “Only four gates were open for thousands. Many couldn’t even enter the stadium and were crushed outside. Ambulances took over two hours to arrive,” he added.
The grandfather of Divyanshi, a 13-year-old girl who died in the stampede, said the family had just reached the venue when they were informed to rush to Bowring Hospital – “We were told Dimple didn’t make it,” he said, devastated.
Many of the injured were women. Eyewitnesses reported scenes of chaos near Gates 18 and 19, with barricades trampled and a young woman bleeding from her nose shouting for help.
The majority of the deceased were from economically weaker sections. Several families are yet to trace their loved ones. Fans are demanding government jobs for the families of the deceased and free treatment for the injured.
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3 Indians arrested in Canada for shooting outside home
Ottawa (PTI): Three Indian nationals have been arrested by Canadian police on an anti-extortion patrol and charged after bullets were fired at a home.
Harjot Singh (21), Taranveer Singh (19) and Dayajeet Singh Billing (21) face one count each of discharging a firearm, and all have been remanded in custody until Thursday, the Surrey Police Service (SPS) said in a statement on Monday.
The suspects were arrested by patrol officers after an early morning report of shots fired and a small fire outside a home in Surrey's Crescent Beach neighbourhood, the LakelandToday reported.
On February 1, 2026, the SPS members were patrolling in Surrey’s Crescent Beach neighbourhood when reports came in of shots being fired and a small fire outside a residence near Crescent Road and 132 Street.
The three accused were arrested by SPS officers a short time later, the statement said.
SPS’s Major Crime Section took over the investigation, and the three men have now been charged with Criminal Code offences, it said.
All three have been charged with one count each of discharging a firearm into a place contrary to section 244.2(1)(a) of the Criminal Code.
The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges may be forthcoming. All three have been remanded in custody until February 5, 2026.
The SPS has confirmed they are all foreign nationals and has engaged the Canada Border Services Agency, it said.
One of the suspects suffered injuries, including two black eyes, the media report said.
Surrey police Staff Sgt. Lindsey Houghton said on Monday that the suspect had refused to comply with instructions to get out of the ride-share vehicle and started to "actively resist."
"As we were trained, he was taken to the ground and safely handcuffed," said Houghton.
A second suspect with a black eye was also injured in the arrest after refusing to comply, Houghton said.
The arresting officers were part of Project Assurance, an initiative that patrols neighbourhoods that have been targeted by extortion violence.
Houghton said the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is also involved because the men are foreign nationals, and the trio may face additional charges.
It's not clear if the men are in the country on tourist visas, a study permit, or a work permit, but Houghton said CBSA has started its own investigation into the men's status.
Surrey has seen a number of shootings at homes and businesses over the last several months, but there's been an escalation since the new year.
