Bengaluru: In the wake of the heartbreaking stampede that claimed 11 lives outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium during RCB's IPL victory celebrations, Karnataka authorities have confirmed the identities of all the deceased. The victims include five women and six men, among them 14-year-old Divyanshi, painting a grim picture of the lives cut short in the chaos.

The deceased have been identified as Poorna Chandra, Bhumik, Prajwal, Chinmayi Shetty, Sahana, Akshata, Divyanshi, Shivling, Manoj, Devi, and Shravan. Eight of them hailed from Bengaluru, while others came from different parts of South India. Shravan, a promising second-year dental student from Chintamani, was studying at Ambedkar Medical Institute. Devi, originally from Andhra Pradesh, had been residing in Coimbatore, while Manoj belonged to Mangalore.

While the bodies of ten victims were handed over to their families following postmortem examinations, the remains of Shravan are still awaiting collection. His grieving parents, who collapsed upon reaching Bowring Hospital, are under medical care, and extended family members are expected to arrive soon.

In response to the incident, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has ordered a magisterial inquiry to determine the causes and accountability surrounding the tragedy. He expressed deep sorrow and emphasized that although authorities had made significant arrangements in a short span of time, it does not absolve the administration of responsibility. The Chief Minister also confirmed that all 47 individuals injured during the stampede have received necessary medical attention.

The incident has prompted nationwide outrage, with questions being raised about event management and crowd control. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has asked the IPL Governing Council for an urgent report on the tragedy. Criticism also mounted over the decision to continue celebrations inside the stadium while the tragedy unfolded just outside its gates.

In its defense, the Royal Challengers Bangalore franchise stated that the program was swiftly modified once news of the stampede was received, though public anger remains palpable.

As investigations commence, the state mourns not only the loss of life but also the systemic failures that led to such an avoidable catastrophe during what was supposed to be a moment of sporting joy.