RCB Victory Parade Turns Tragic: Stampede Claims 11 Lives in Bengaluru
Bengaluru, June 5, 2025 —
What began as a jubilant celebration of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s long-awaited IPL title turned into a heartbreaking tragedy on Tuesday evening, as a massive stampede outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium claimed the lives of 11 people and left over 50 others injured.
The stampede occurred as tens of thousands of fans gathered to witness the team’s victory parade, celebrating their historic IPL 2025 win—the franchise's first in 18 seasons. According to eyewitnesses, the crowd began to swell rapidly around 4 p.m., hours before the players were scheduled to make a public appearance.
Police officials said the unexpected surge in crowd numbers overwhelmed the security and crowd control measures in place. Despite early warnings about overcapacity, the stadium gates were reportedly opened late, creating panic among the crowd that had already filled Cubbon Road and nearby areas.
“It was chaos,” said Ramesh Gowda, a college student who suffered minor injuries in the incident. “People were pushing from behind. Some fell, and others trampled over them. There was no space to move.”
Initial reports suggest that the event was organized in haste, with inadequate barricades and emergency access routes. Sources in the Bengaluru City Police indicated that more than 200,000 people had gathered in and around the stadium premises—far exceeding safe capacity.
Among the deceased were a 14-year-old schoolgirl, a recently hired IT professional, and a vendor’s son who had arrived early in the morning to secure a view of the team. Several of the injured remain in critical condition at Victoria and Bowring Hospitals.
“We lost our daughter in seconds,” said the father of the schoolgirl, visibly shaken. “She just wanted to see Virat Kohli. We had no idea something so horrific would happen.”
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru franchise issued a statement expressing “profound grief” over the loss of lives and announced ₹10 lakh as financial assistance to each of the victims’ families. “We stand with those affected and are working with authorities to support ongoing relief efforts,” the statement read.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah called the incident “deeply distressing” and ordered an inquiry into possible administrative lapses. “This tragedy could have been avoided with better planning and coordination,” he told reporters. A compensation of ₹5 lakh from the state government was also announced.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several political leaders extended their condolences via social media. “Saddened by the tragic loss of lives in Bengaluru. Prayers with the families of the deceased,” PM Modi tweeted.
According to a report by The Indian Express, confusion over parade timings and a last-minute change in venue from MG Road to Chinnaswamy Stadium added to the chaos. Officials are now facing criticism for poor communication and inadequate crowd safety infrastructure.
Senior police officials admitted there was no detailed disaster preparedness plan for an event of such magnitude. The Bengaluru City Commissioner has been directed to submit a detailed report within 48 hours.
As the city mourns, questions loom over accountability and the need for systemic reform in crowd management at large-scale public events. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and IPL authorities are expected to meet this week to discuss protocol improvements for future celebrations.
What began as a jubilant celebration of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s long-awaited IPL title turned into a heartbreaking tragedy on Tuesday evening, as a massive stampede outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium claimed the lives of 11 people and left over 50 others injured.
The stampede occurred as tens of thousands of fans gathered to witness the team’s victory parade, celebrating their historic IPL 2025 win—the franchise's first in 18 seasons. According to eyewitnesses, the crowd began to swell rapidly around 4 p.m., hours before the players were scheduled to make a public appearance.
Police officials said the unexpected surge in crowd numbers overwhelmed the security and crowd control measures in place. Despite early warnings about overcapacity, the stadium gates were reportedly opened late, creating panic among the crowd that had already filled Cubbon Road and nearby areas.
“It was chaos,” said Ramesh Gowda, a college student who suffered minor injuries in the incident. “People were pushing from behind. Some fell, and others trampled over them. There was no space to move.”
Initial reports suggest that the event was organized in haste, with inadequate barricades and emergency access routes. Sources in the Bengaluru City Police indicated that more than 200,000 people had gathered in and around the stadium premises—far exceeding safe capacity.
Among the deceased were a 14-year-old schoolgirl, a recently hired IT professional, and a vendor’s son who had arrived early in the morning to secure a view of the team. Several of the injured remain in critical condition at Victoria and Bowring Hospitals.
“We lost our daughter in seconds,” said the father of the schoolgirl, visibly shaken. “She just wanted to see Virat Kohli. We had no idea something so horrific would happen.”
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru franchise issued a statement expressing “profound grief” over the loss of lives and announced ₹10 lakh as financial assistance to each of the victims’ families. “We stand with those affected and are working with authorities to support ongoing relief efforts,” the statement read.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah called the incident “deeply distressing” and ordered an inquiry into possible administrative lapses. “This tragedy could have been avoided with better planning and coordination,” he told reporters. A compensation of ₹5 lakh from the state government was also announced.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several political leaders extended their condolences via social media. “Saddened by the tragic loss of lives in Bengaluru. Prayers with the families of the deceased,” PM Modi tweeted.
According to a report by The Indian Express, confusion over parade timings and a last-minute change in venue from MG Road to Chinnaswamy Stadium added to the chaos. Officials are now facing criticism for poor communication and inadequate crowd safety infrastructure.
Senior police officials admitted there was no detailed disaster preparedness plan for an event of such magnitude. The Bengaluru City Commissioner has been directed to submit a detailed report within 48 hours.
As the city mourns, questions loom over accountability and the need for systemic reform in crowd management at large-scale public events. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and IPL authorities are expected to meet this week to discuss protocol improvements for future celebrations.
