Author: Akshay Published Date: June 5, 2025
The jubilant atmosphere following Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title win turned tragic on June 4, 2025, when a stampede outside M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru led to the deaths of at least 11 individuals and injured over 50 others.
Thousands of fans had gathered to celebrate RCB’s historic victory over Punjab Kings. The overwhelming crowd, many without official passes, attempted to force entry into the stadium, leading to chaos and a deadly crush.
Visuals from the scene showed fans climbing over walls and fences in a desperate bid to join the celebrations. Despite police efforts to control the situation, including the use of batons, the crowd proved unmanageable.
Emergency services responded swiftly, transporting the injured to nearby hospitals. Among the deceased were a woman and a child. The state’s Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, visited the injured and announced compensation for the victims’ families.
The planned victory parade was canceled in light of the tragedy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, calling the incident “heartrending” and emphasizing the need for better crowd management at large events.
A magisterial inquiry has been launched to investigate the lapses that led to the stampede. The incident has sparked a broader conversation about public safety and the responsibilities of event organizers in managing large gatherings