Mandya, 27 April

One person died and 13 others were injured after a spectators' gallery collapsed due to overcrowding during a Kabaddi match at Mallanayakana Katte village in Mandya, police reported on Saturday.

The tournament, organised by a local youth group to promote Kabaddi in the region, attracted over 1,000 spectators.

The deceased is 54-year-old Papannachari, a resident of Mallanayakana Katte. Two of the injured are in critical condition, while the others are receiving treatment at the Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences (MIMS).

Following the incident, Mandya District Minister Cheluvarayaswamy confirmed that the organisers had obtained the necessary permissions from the police and district administration for the event. The minister provided personal financial assistance and promised compensation for Papannachari's family, as well as for the injured. Free treatment has been arranged for all the victims.

Former minister Puttaraju stated that Papannachari died while rescuing three children during the stampede and called for government compensation for his family. Salar News