Tragic stampede outside Bengaluru stadium results in at least 11 deaths, 33 injuries during RCB victory celebration
Cricket Triumph Turns Tragic: The Chinnaswamy Chaos
Throwing a wrench in Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) fans' joyous celebrations, a stampede outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4, 2025 left 11 fans dead and 33 injured. The disheartening incident occurred during an overzealous homecoming celebration for RCB, winners of their first Indian Premier League (IPL) title following an 18-year wait.
A day prior, RCB had clinched the championship with a nail-biting six-run victory against Punjab Kings in the Ahmedabad final, according to Indian news reports. Despite police presence, the fervor of emotion-charged fans overwhelmed security measures and flooded through multiple stadium gates to catch a glimpse of their beloved cricketers.
Peak moments of insanity were witnessed as people desperately clambered over gates, trees, and even destroyed barricades, creating scenes of pure pandemonium as they craved a better view of their idols. Emergency services struggled to respond due to severe traffic congestion on the city's streets. Ambulances faced significant delays in reaching hospitals, where two bodies were confirmed at the Bowring Hospital, and four more at Vaidehi Hospital. Six patrons remain in critical care, with others fighting for their lives. Further deaths have been reported by hospital sources, though formal recognition is yet to be confirmed.
Karnataka's Chief Minister Siddaramaiah acknowledged the devastating situation during a press conference. "This unfortunate incident should not have happened during a celebration. No one anticipated such a massive crowd." His deputy, D.K. Shivakumar voiced his regret, remarking, "The crowd got out of control, making it difficult for the police to manage. We couldn't use force on such a youthful, spirited crowd."
In the days leading up to the event, security concerns necessitated the cancellation of an official parade from Vidhana Soudha to Chinnaswamy Stadium. Despite this, enormous crowds had already gathered at the Vidhana Soudha for a government-organized felicitation event for the team. Subsequently, strained police forces resorted to a gentle lathi charge to curb the escalating crowd.
An RCB representative offered condolences, recognizing the intensity of fans' devotion, "Fans have waited 18 agonizing years for this Cup. We must acknowledge their emotions, even amid such a heartbreaking situation."
A separate incident involved a bystander suffering a fractured leg while aiming to scale a gate, while others were found perched on trees in a futile attempt to catch glimpses of their heroes.
A BCCI official commented somberly, "This kind of bedlam is the darker side of fame. People are absolutely infatuated with their cricketers."
Investigations are ongoing, with the Karnataka government promising a comprehensive review of the stadium's security measures and emergency response protocols for future events.
General news reported an accident during the celebrations of Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) first Indian Premier League (IPL) title, resulting in car-accidents and injuries outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. In the sports world, this tragic event served as a somber reminder of the dangers that can arise from fan enthusiasm.
