Yadgir: A 17-year-old boy from Honagera village, Shivaling Chandappa Kumbar, tragically lost his life in a stampede near the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Wednesday. The incident, which turned a day of excitement into disaster, has left his family and village in deep shock.

Shivaling was pursuing his second-year Pre-University Course (PUC) at the Government PU College in Yelahanka. Residing with his parents in Bengaluru, the family made a modest living working at a local cement brick unit.

On the day of the tragedy, Shivaling had not returned home till late in the evening. Concerned, his mother tried contacting him via his mobile phone. To her horror, a police officer answered the call and informed her that her son had been involved in a mishap, asking her to rush to Bowring Hospital.

Shivaling’s parents immediately made their way to the hospital, only to be met with heartbreak on seeing their son’s lifeless body. What was meant to be a joyful outing turned into an unimaginable loss for the family.

Final rites for the young student will be conducted at Ashanal village, on farmland belonging to his brother-in-law.

The tragedy has raised concerns over crowd control and safety measures at major public events in the city. Authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances leading to the stampede.