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Singer Says He Fled for His Life as Messi Tribute in Kolkata Descends Into Chaos

New eyewitness detail sharpens scrutiny of crowd-management failures following the organiser's arrest.

Overview

  • London-based performer Charles Antony, invited to sing at the December 13 Salt Lake Stadium event, says he packed his equipment and ran to safety as control broke down.
  • He recalls Messi, Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul being hemmed in while bottles, food packets, stones and metal objects were hurled from the galleries.
  • Fans who paid Rs 4,000–12,000, with some spending up to Rs 20,000 on resale, reported they never saw Messi and several left in tears.
  • Antony and reports cite organisational confusion and VVIP movements, including an underground exit and Sourav Ganguly’s departure, as flashpoints that triggered a surge.
  • Event organiser Satadru Dutta has been arrested, while Antony notes he took no fee for performing and that only his travel and stay were covered.