At least 11 people die in a stampede outside a cricket stadium in India after IPL win (The team had given away free passes to fans)

By AIJAZ RAHI of The Associated Press. Excerpts:

"At least 11 people are dead and more than 30 injured after a stampede on Wednesday as crowds tried to enter a cricket stadium in southern India’s Karnataka state, authorities said.

The crush happened as tens of thousands of cricket fans gathered outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru city to celebrate the winners of the Indian Premier League, the world’s most popular T20 cricket tournament."

"the crowd tried to break one of the stadium’s gates and enter to take part in celebrations."

"The team had given away free passes to fans for the event through its website"

"D.K. Shivakumar, the deputy chief minister of Karnataka state, told reporters that “the crowd was very uncontrollable.”"

"Stampedes are relatively common in India when large crowds gather."

A good is scarce when there is not enough to go around when it is given away for free. We don't often hear people say that tickets to sporting events are scarce. But in this case we can see that it is. It was given away for free and too many people showed up. If we don't use prices to ration goods, some other method (like who waits in line the longest) will be used and the results might not be good.

  

Related posts about problems when thing are given away for free:

 

Free food distribution in Nigeria leads to stampede and deaths (2025) 

 

Are food, clothing and shoes scarce? If they are, could ignoring that fact be deadly? (2022)

Florida counties give away vaccine for free and there are long lines (2020)

There's no such thing as free cheesecake (2019) 

Chaos ensues when stuffed bears are given away (almost) free of charge.  (2018)

Domino's & T-Mobile discover there is no such thing as free pizza. Too many took advantage of offer. They ran out.  (2016)

What happens if you give electricity away for free? (Tesla post)  (2015)

 

Trees Are Scarce In San Antonio!  (2015)

 

IHOP Gives Away Free Pancakes And Gets Slammed.  (2013)

 

Josh Hamilton’s grand slam causes a flooring and countertop shortage  (2011)

 

Free Can Be Deadly. (give aways lead to stampedes)  (2010)

 

There Is No Such Thing As Free Salt (Or Sand)  (2009)

Taco Bell Gives Away "Free" Tacos, Problems Arise.  (2007)

More Free Give Aways Lead to Trouble. (A shopping mall in California gave away free gift certificates) (2006)