Stampede Turns RCB Victory Parade into Tragedy: 11 Dead, 47 Injured in Bengaluru

Bengaluru | June 5, 2025 : What was supposed to be a jubilant celebration for Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) victory ended in tragedy on Wednesday, June 4, as a massive stampede near the M Chinnaswamy Stadium claimed at least 11 lives and left 47 others injured.

The victory parade, which began at Vidhana Soudha and concluded at the stadium, drew an unexpectedly massive crowd, overwhelming security forces and city infrastructure. Officials estimate that over 3 lakh fans descended upon central Bengaluru, far exceeding the stadium’s 35,000-seat capacity.

The RCB squad landed in Bengaluru earlier in the day and met with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at the Vidhana Soudha. Fans began assembling in large numbers from early morning, especially near the stadium, where the main celebration was scheduled.

By 2:00 PM, thousands had gathered around the stadium’s 13 gates. At 3:00 PM, crowd size surged dramatically following a last-minute announcement allowing open entry, replacing the earlier pass-based system. The unexpected change led to confusion and panic.

As the parade progressed between 3:30 PM and 5:00 PM, gates became choke points. Barricades failed under pressure, and people were trampled as crowds surged forward. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos, with footwear, bags, and personal items strewn across the ground as volunteers and onlookers rushed to aid the injured.

A preliminary report submitted by the Director General and Inspector General of Police cited an "unexpected gathering of thousands" as the primary cause. The report confirmed that a barricade collapse led to a cascade of people falling and being crushed in the panic.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, expressing profound grief, acknowledged the administration’s failure to anticipate the turnout. “The pain of this tragedy has erased the joy of the victory. While the stadium holds 35,000, over 2 to 3 lakh people turned up,” he said. The Chief Minister announced an ex-gratia of ₹10 lakh to the families of each deceased and free medical treatment for the injured.

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar echoed these sentiments on social media, writing, “We are heartbroken by this tragic incident… We did not anticipate such an overwhelming crowd. Your pain is ours.”

In a concerning oversight, celebrations inside the stadium continued for some time even as reports of the tragedy emerged. Critics have pointed to a lack of real-time coordination between law enforcement, event organizers, and team management.

The Karnataka government has ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident, with a detailed report expected within 15 days. Public sentiment is growing for accountability, especially regarding the decision to open entry to all without crowd control protocols in place.

As Bengaluru grapples with the loss, questions remain about how a joyous moment was allowed to spiral into a deadly disaster. While fans had gathered to celebrate a sporting milestone, they now return home with memories marred by sorrow.