RCB's biggest night became Bengaluru's darkest. The jubilant celebrations following Royal Challengers Bengaluru's IPL 2025 title triumph took a devastating turn when a horrible stampede occurred near the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4. This tragic incident resulted in the loss of at least 11 lives, with over 33 other individuals sustaining injuries or falling ill amidst the chaos. The joyous atmosphere quickly transformed into one of mourning and distress.
The tragic events unfolded as thousands of RCB fans flocked to the area surrounding the stadium, eager to catch a glimpse of their victorious team after their historic first-ever IPL title win after a long wait of 18 years. The situation quickly descended into chaos at multiple entry points to the stadium, as the sheer volume of people overwhelmed the security measures. In an attempt to manage the surging crowd, the police were forced to resort to a lathi-charge. The individuals who sustained injuries during the stampede were promptly transported to Bowring Hospital to receive necessary medical treatment.
What exactly led to Bengaluru stampede at RCB's event?
The celebratory event held at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium was under the organisation of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA). Although entry to the venue was regulated through a pass system, an immense number of enthusiastic fans, numbering in the thousands, congregated outside the stadium premises. Their collective aspiration was to witness the IPL trophy and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) team as they celebrated their long-awaited maiden title victory.
Tragically, initial details shared with the government indicate that a temporary concrete slab that had been positioned over a drain located near the stadium perimeter succumbed to the weight of the numerous individuals standing on it, a source privy to the development confirmed Sports Tak. This unforeseen structural failure precipitated widespread panic amongst the densely packed crowd. Consequently, a stampede erupted, leading to the unfortunate loss of multiple lives and causing injuries to a significant number of people.
KSCA had meticulously arranged a special felicitation ceremony inside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium to honor the RCB squad upon their victorious return from Ahmedabad. However, the event witnessed an unprecedented turnout of fans, many of whom lacked the required entry passes, leading to a highly precarious situation outside the venue. Eyewitness accounts detailed desperate attempts by fans to gain access, including scaling stadium walls and fences in their eagerness to catch a glimpse of their beloved players.
In response to the escalating crowd and potential safety hazards, the police personnel present at the scene made repeated appeals to the gathered fans, urging them to maintain order and to disperse from the congested areas. Warnings were issued against unlawful entry into the stadium and any unsafe behavior that could endanger themselves and others. Despite these repeated calls for cooperation, the crowd grew increasingly restless, and at several critical junctures, law enforcement officials were compelled to resort to a mild lathi-charge in an effort to manage the overwhelming situation. Local media outlets did report a few minor injuries amidst the resulting crush, although no serious casualties had been officially confirmed as of Tuesday evening.
Following these concerning events, the planned open-top bus parade, which was scheduled to take place on Wednesday to further celebrate the team's victory with the broader fanbase across the city, was subsequently cancelled. Additionally, the fan interaction event that did proceed at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium was notably brief, with the RCB stars concluding their speeches and the entire event wrapping up in under 20 minutes.
Further underscoring the focus on safety and order, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar confirmed that clear instructions had been given to the organisers to ensure that the felicitation event was concluded within a strict timeframe of just 15 minutes. He also reiterated that the state government had made the decision to deny permission for the originally proposed open-top bus parade, likely due to concerns regarding crowd management and public safety in the wake of the immense fan enthusiasm.