Bengaluru | June 4: A day meant for celebration turned into tragedy in Bengaluru as a stampede during the IPL victory event for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) claimed eleven lives and left several others injured on Wednesday.
The tragic incident occurred near M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, where thousands of enthusiastic fans had gathered to celebrate RCB’s historic IPL 2025 title win—their first in 18 years. The crowd swelled beyond capacity, and chaos erupted as fans surged through multiple gates, causing a deadly stampede.
Despite prior security concerns, the large crowd overwhelmed the arrangements. The Karnataka government had cancelled the official victory parade from Vidhana Soudha to the stadium to avoid such risks. Yet, massive gatherings still formed around Vidhana Soudha, forcing the police to use mild cane charges to disperse unruly sections.
Many injured were rushed to Bowring Hospital, although ambulance movement was hindered due to overcrowding. Rescue operations are still ongoing, with officials on high alert.
Even with heavy police deployment since Tuesday night, crowd control proved difficult. Witnesses reported fans climbing trees and barricades to get a glimpse of their favorite players.
Authorities have initiated an investigation, and the death toll may rise as more information emerges. The incident has raised serious concerns about event safety, even during state-supported public celebrations.
