Cricket fans injured in Gymkhana stampede

HYDERABAD: The sale of tickets off-line for the third one day International cricket match between India and Australia, at Gymkhana grounds in Secunderabad, opened with a mad rush, resulting in a  stampede. Cops were deployed in big numbers anticipating the huge turn out, but when things went out of control, they were forced to use force on the  fans who had gone berserk.

At least seven persons including cops and fire personnel were injured in the incident. They were all rushed to a private hospital at Secunderabad and are said to be out of danger. As the coming Sunday's match in the city is happening after three long years, fans became desperate for tickets.

G Naresh, a techie from Miyapur said that he came to the venue at around 5.30am, but there was no clue on how tickets would be issued. Another fan Christy Lobo said, firstly there was no information of the tickets at the gate and there was no drinking water or any other facilities for the fans at the stadium. Some of the fans, even women, started reaching the venue in the early hours of Thursday.

Gradually thousands gathered outside the Gymkhana gate. As the gates opened for the sale, fans rushed inside.  As all together charged in at once, it led to a stampede. Cops tried to control the crowd but the situation had already gone out of control and the crowd went berserk,  forcing cops to use force to disperse the crowd.

The fans alleged that cops lathi charged them without even giving any warnings, but even as thousands of fans stood in lines, they managed to get their tickets from the same counters. Pictures of cops allegedly getting tickets, even as other people waited in queues, went viral on social media platforms.

The Injured persons including women were rushed to a  corporate hospital at Secunderabad. Hospital sources said that all the injured persons were out of danger and are under observation.

City police officials also confirmed the news of a woman dying in the stampede is false and urged people to not believe such rumours.

Later, the situation was brought into control, after which police said that the organisers have set up extra counters for selling the tickets.

Meanwhile, all routes leading to Gymkhana stadium witnessed traffic jams. By afternoon, all roads were barricaded by traffic police, to avoid further congestion. The traffic congestion continued till evening and movement became normal only after the counters were closed by evening.